The effect of tooth morphology and vertical bracket positioning on resultant stress in periodontal ligament - a three dimensional finite element study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of change in vertical placement of bracket and effect of tooth morphology on stress developed on periodontal ligament with the help of three dimensional finite element modeling. METHODS: A three-dimensional model of the maxillary bone, maxillary right central incisor, lateral incisor and canine was designed based on the average dimensions of the anatomy and morphology given by Wheeler's and standard edgewise bracket with Slot of 0.022″ X 0.028″ inch was designed using the finite element method. Brackets were placed on each tooth, on the mentioned labial surface at variable distances from the cusp tip, and a full size archwire was virtually engaged into the bracket, then optimum orthodontic load of 2N is applied and PDL stress were calculated. RESULTS: The lowest stress values were measured as bracket position changes from crest of teeth to the apical direction. By displacing the bracket gingivally from 1.5 to 6 mm, a 16.2% decrease in stress level for central incisor, for lateral incisor the stress level decrease by 25.8% and for canine the stress level decrease by 21.6% thus our study confirms that variation in vertical bracket position results in change in resultant stress in PDL. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the variation in the vertical position of the bracket osn different tooth can have an important effect on the stresses developed in the PDL.