Non-linear behavior of the distribution of deformities in the periodontal ligament by varying the size of the root: Finite element analysis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to simulate through finite elements the deformation of the periodontal ligament of an upper right central incisor under the action of a 1 N load applied in two specific positions: The center of the clinical crown (CCC) and the center of the anatomical crown (CAC). For the periodontal ligament, a non-linear behavior was used to better recreate the deformities within the area, assuming it as a material with a hyperelastic behavior. Additionally, two crown-to-root ratios were used (1:1 and 1:1.5) to analyze the effect over the induced charge in the tooth root and its impact on the deformities of the periodontal ligament. In the cases where the load was applied in the CAC, fewer deformations were obtained than for the cases in which the load was applied in the CCC. In the scenarios with 1:1.5 ratios, the deformities were fewer than for the scenarios with 1:1 crown-to-root ratios.