Three-dimensional location and distribution of the center of resistance in the maxillary first molar applied to occlusal force

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the center of resistance (CRes) of the maxillary first molar to set the occlusal force through finite element analysis. The inclination of the molar was measured, with loading to the root on the crown, and the position and direction of the load that minimized the inclination were investigated. The CRes was defined as the set of midpoints of the minimum distances between the two lines. Nine hundred and ninety CRes points were estimated from forty-five lines. The CRes was estimated as the point 1.22 mm (Z), −0.74 mm (X), and 0.23 mm (Y) from the origin in the apical, distal, and buccal side directions, respectively, with an ellipsoid area of 1.578 (Z) mm×0.097 (X) mm×0.100 (Y) mm. Further research is required to make effective use of the CRes identified in this study for clinical applications.