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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
A Finite Element Approach for Locating the Center of Resistance of Maxillary Teeth
Published on: April 8, 2020
Total mesialization of the mandibular dentition using a mini-implant-supported device : A finite element analysis
Xi Wang1, Le Yang2, Yeling Zhu3
1Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou Guangdong, China. wangq72@mail2.sysu.edu.cn.
Purpose:
Total mandibular arch mesialization using mini-implants is challenging due to anatomic limitations. The aim of this study was to introduce a mini-implant-supported device for total mesialization of the mandibular dentition and to analyze the biomechanical properties of the device.
Methods:
Finite element models were constructed to explore the effect of friction and force direction on the force transmission efficiency of the device. In addition, the three-dimensional displacement of each tooth was evaluated with two force application points (2 or 8 mm hooks) under three force conditions (symmetric: 150 g of force on both sides, or asymmetric: 100 and 200 g of force on each side).
Results:
The force transmission efficiency was 66.7% under a friction coefficient of 0.15 and parallel pushing and pulling forces. The force transmission efficiency was 65.90 and 66.63% when the pushing force was 15° away from the pulling force on the sagittal and horizontal planes, respectively. The mandibular dentition moved mesially with a greater tendency for incisor labial crown tipping, mesial molar rotation and buccal second molar crown tipping when using the 8 mm hook compared to that when using the 2 mm hook. Rigid archwires resulted in more consistent tooth mesialization than stainless steel archwires. Asymmetric forces resulted in asymmetric dental arch mesialization.
Conclusion:
The forces transmitted by the presented mini-implant-supported device varied depending on the friction level and force direction. The device should be able to achieve symmetric or asymmetric total mesialization of the mandibular dentition.
