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Validation of finite element models for orthodontic aligners
N Ye1, B E Brown2, S C Mantell3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, UMN, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, UMN, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|August 7, 2022
Summary
This study developed and validated a finite element (FE) model for clear thermoplastic aligners. This validated FE model accurately predicts orthodontic forces, enhancing understanding of aligner biomechanics and tooth movement.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthodontics
- Computational Mechanics
Background:
- Clear thermoplastic aligners are increasingly popular in orthodontics.
- The biomechanics and tooth movement induced by these aligners are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate finite element (FE) models for clear thermoplastic aligners.
- To enable accurate prediction of orthodontic forces exerted by aligners.
Main Methods:
- FE models were created from Micro-CT scans of aligners and dental models.
- Simulations involved interference fit and surface-to-surface interaction.
- Model validation compared predicted gaps and strains with experimental data (Micro-CT and DIC).
Main Results:
- High agreement between predicted and measured teeth-aligner gaps (R²=0.99).
- Minimal differences in predicted and measured aligner surface strains (von Mises).
- Validation confirmed the model's accuracy.
Conclusions:
- A validated FE model for clear thermoplastic aligners has been successfully developed.
- The model can reliably predict forces and moments applied to teeth.
- This enhances understanding of aligner biomechanics and induced tooth movement.
