The vertical location of the center of resistance for maxillary six anterior teeth during retraction using three dimensional finite element analysis

Lee, Hye Kyoung; Chung, Kyu Rhim

Abstract

The delivery of optimal orthodontic treatment is greatly influenced by clinician's ability to predict and control tooth movement by applying well-known force system to dentition. It is very important to determine the location of the centers of resistance of a tooth or teeth in order to have better understanding the nature of displacement characteristics under various force levels. In this study, three dimensional finite element analysis was used to measure the initial displacement of the consolidated teeth under loading. The purpose of this study was to define the location of the centers of resistance at the upper six anterior segment. To observe the changes of six anterior segment, 200gm, 250gm, 300gm, and 350gm forces at right and left hand side each were imposed toward lingual direction. For this study, two cases, six anterior teeth and six anterior teeth after corticotomy, were reviewed. In addition, it was reviewed the effects of changes on the location of the center of resistance in both cases based on different degree of forces aforementioned. The results were that : 1. The instantaneous center of resistance for the six anterior teeth was vertically located between level 4 and level 5, which is, at 6.76mm, 44.32 % apical to the cementoenamel junction level. 2. The instantaneous center of resistance for the six anterior teeth after corticotomy was located vertically between level 4 and level 5, that is, at 7.09mm, 46.38 % apical to the cementoenamel junction level. 3. Changes of force showed little effect on the location of the center of resistance in each case. 4. It was observed that the location of the instantaneous center of resistance for the six anterior teeth after corticotomy was changed more than the six anterior teeth without corticotomy to the apical part, and the displacement of the consolidated anterior teeth moved further in case of the consolidated teeth after corticotomy.