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Orthodontically Induced External Root Resorption: A Finite Element Analysis
Radu-Andrei Moga1, Cristian Doru Olteanu2, Ada Gabriela Delean1
1Department of Odontology, Endodontics and Oral Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Str. Motilor 33, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Orthodontic forces can cause external root resorption, particularly with intrusion, extrusion, rotation, and translation movements. Ductile-like failure criteria accurately predict these stresses, unlike brittle-like criteria, which showed inconsistencies in finite element analysis simulations.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical analysis of dental structures.
- Orthodontic mechanics and material science.
Background:
- Finite element analysis (FEA) is crucial for understanding stress distribution in teeth during orthodontic treatment.
- Assessing stress patterns and potential root resorption is vital for safe and effective orthodontic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate stress distribution in teeth and dentin under orthodontic forces using FEA.
- To compare the accuracy of different failure criteria (brittle-like vs. ductile-like) in predicting stress.
- To identify orthodontic movements most likely to cause external root resorption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nine 3D models of the second lower premolar based on CBCT scans.
- Performed 180 numerical simulations applying 4 N of force across five orthodontic movements.
- Employed Maximum Principal (MaxP), Minimum Principal (MinP), Von Mises (VM), and Tresca (T) failure criteria.
Main Results:
- Tipping movements were less associated with root resorption compared to translation, extrusion, intrusion, and rotation.
- High-stress concentrations were observed in the cervical third of the root for specific movements when components were analyzed separately.
- Ductile-like criteria (VM, T) provided consistent results, while brittle-like criteria (MaxP, MinP) showed quantitative and qualitative inconsistencies.
Conclusions:
- A 4 N orthodontic force can induce localized external root resorption, especially with intrusion-extrusion (vestibular) and rotation-translation (lingual/distal-lingual) movements.
- Ductile-like failure criteria are recommended for accurate FEA in dental studies.
- Understanding stress distribution is key to minimizing iatrogenic damage during orthodontics.
