Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, India | [b] Department of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal, India | [c] Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, India
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Rohan Mascarenhas, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, India. E-mail:rohanmasc@yahoo.com
Abstract: Due to increasing popularity of lingual orthodontics in recent years,
various lingual systems have been developed. In orthodontics Finite Element
Method (FEM) has been used to study various types of tooth movement.
Although FEM was extensively used for evaluating the biomechanical effects
of labial orthodontic forces, research on lingual system is still limited.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two different
lingual bracket systems using FEM. FEM of maxilla which included six upper
anterior teeth, periodontal ligament has been created. Six upper anterior
teeth were digitally arranged in final position using a new computerized
method. CAD models of six upper anterior brackets of 7th generation and
Lingual matrix have also been created and attached onto the digital model at
appropriate heights. Various orthodontic movements were simulated and force
applied distal to the canine bracket. Deformation, stress on teeth, bone and
periodontal ligament were studied and compared between the two different
lingual systems. Deformation was less with lingual matrix brackets than
7th generation brackets when subjected to intrusive, retractive and
combined forces. More stresses were generated on the teeth, bone and PDL in
lingual matrix brackets than 7th generation brackets when subjected to
forces. It was found that tooth movements are more efficient and precise in
lingual matrix brackets than prefabricated 7th generation brackets.
