Modelling the effects of enamel anisotropy with the finite element method

The finite element method was used to model an in vitro tooth loading system. The dentine was modelled as a linear elastic and isotropic material, while the enamel was modelled as an anisotropic material to take account of the biological variation in prism angulation. The elastic modulus values of enamel and dentine used in this analysis were altered in order to replicate the movement of the in vitro system. It was found that a dentine modulus of 15 GPa and an enamel modulus of 80 GPa in the principal prism direction gave the best replication of cuspal movement.