Effect of water temperature on cyclic fatigue properties of glass-fiber-reinforced hybrid composite resin and its fracture pattern after flexural testing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro the influence of dynamic loading applied to a glass-fiber-reinforced hybrid composite resin on its flexural strength in a moist, simulated oral environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-point flexural strength specimens were subjected to cyclic loading in water at 37°C and 55°C to investigate the influence of immersion temperature on impact fatigue properties. Specimens were subjected to cyclic impact loading at 1 Hz for up to 5 × 105 cycles to obtain the number of cycles to failure, the number of unbroken specimens after 5 × 105 cycles, and the residual flexural strength of unbroken specimens. Maximum loads of 100, 200, and 300 N were chosen for both the non-reinforced and the glass-fiber reinforced hybrid composite resins. RESULTS: The mean residual flexural strength for 100 N impact loading at temperatures of 37°C and 55°C was 634 and 636 MPa, respectively. All specimens fractured at fewer than 5 × 105 cycles for loads of 200 and 300 N. CONCLUSION: Reduced numbers of cycles to fracture and lower fatigue values were observed as both the maximum load and immersion temperature increased.

Accuracy of three-dimensional finite element modeling using two different dental cone beam computed tomography systems.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of dental ceramic object three dimensional (3D) finite element model constructed directly from two different dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) systems. CT scanned one 10.0 × 10.0 × 20.0 mm block and one 8.0 × 10.0 × 40.0 mm block of an 8-step wedge. All 3D finite element (FE) models were created from CT images. Each 3D FE model measured the length of the directions X, Y, and Z that corresponded to an original specimen using the measurement function between two points on the Mechanical Finder software package. The measurements and practical value were compared with the CT image and the accuracy of the reproduced measurements was examined. No significant differences were found between Alphard-3030 on the Z axis and ProMax 3D on the Y axis of the block. In addition, there were also no significant differences observed between Alphard-3030 on the Y axis and ProMax 3D on the X axis compared with Alphard-3030 on the Z axis and ProMax 3D on the Y axis for the step-wedge. The results suggest that measurement of the dimensions of cone beam CT images could be useful in applications where both good reproducibility and accuracy of FE models are required.

Optimum design for fixed partial dentures made of hybrid resin with glass fiber reinforcement by finite element analysis: effect of vertical reinforced thickness on fiber frame.

By means of finite element analysis, the optimal thickness of fiber framework placed in a fiber-reinforced composite bridge replacing the mandibular first molar was obtained. Test results demonstrated that more than 30% maximum principal stress was reduced by reinforcing with fiber framework in a thickness of up to 0.6 mm for 1.5-mm occlusal clearance. Indeed, maximum principal stress generated in lower embrasure of connectors was reduced from 107 MPa to 70 MPa by maximizing reinforcement effect.

Shear bond strength and FEM of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement--effects of tooth enamel shape and orthodontic bracket base configuration.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influences of enamel shape and bracket base configuration on shear bond strength from a biomechanical point of view. To this end, shear bond test and stress analysis using finite element method (FEM) were performed. Results obtained from both tests were then comprehensively investigated. Maxillary incisors were prepared for plane specimens, while mandibular premolars were prepared for curvature specimens. Shear bond test was carried out with three different test conditions. Two finite element models of enamel shape and bracket base configuration were also created. An approximate mean load of 200 N was applied. Results revealed that the shear bond strength of plane model was higher than that of curvature model. In conclusion, the present study revealed that shear bond strength was significantly influenced by enamel shape and bracket base configuration, whereby a curvature configuration tended to have lower bond strength.

Development of 3D CAD/FEM Analysis System for Natural Teeth and Jaw Bone Constructed from X-Ray CT Images.

A three-dimensional finite element model of the lower first premolar, with the three layers of enamel, dentin, and pulp, and the mandible, with the two layers of cortical and cancellous bones, was directly constructed from noninvasively acquired CT images. This model was used to develop a system to analyze the stresses on the teeth and supporting bone structure during occlusion based on the finite element method and to examine the possibility of mechanical simulation.

Characteristics of the tooth in the initial movement: the influence of the restraint site to the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone.

It is critical to clarify orthodontic load transfer mechanism from tooth to alveolar bone, and to determine the influence of applied orthodontic force on tooth behaviour. In this study, two dimensional (2-D) finite element (FE) models were constructed to simulate to mechanical behaviour observed during the initial movement of periodontal ligament (PDL) deformation, and to evaluate the effects of the presence of PDL and various restraint sites on tooth behaviour.A 2-D solid FE model of the tooth-PDL-alveolar bone system was constructed and investigated into stress distribution pattern and displacement. The first analysis was carried out with combinations of FE model with and without PDL. The second analysis was compared with three different sites restraint of alveolar bone. By incorporating PDL in FE models, excessively large stress values and deformation generated in a tooth and alveolar bone were relieved. Since restraint conditions did not affect a tooth and PDL, but had an effect on alveolar bone, orthodontic force necessary for tooth displacement was transmitted correctly. The results of this study revealed that inclusion of PDL in FE models is indispensable to transmit orthodontic force appropriately when investigating tooth behaviour for orthodontic treatment. Restrained sites affected stress distribution in alveolar bone.

Framework design of an anterior fiber-reinforced hybrid composite fixed partial denture: a 3D finite element study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal design of a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) framework to obtain the maximum reinforcement for fixed partial dentures (FPDs) under three different loading conditions using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis. materials and methods: A three-unit FPD replacing the maxillary right lateral incisor was constructed using FE analysis software (ANSYS 10.0, ANSYS). A fiber framework of the pontic was designed with three variations: with the main framework curved labially (FRC1), located in the center (FRC2), or curved lingually (FRC3). Each framework was compared with a hybrid composite FPD without any fiber reinforcement (C-FPD). A lateral load was applied to the three different loading points of the pontic 0 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm from the incisal edge, each representing loading conditions 1, 2, and 3, respectively. RESULTS: Localized high stress concentration was observed around the connectors under all loading conditions. In all FRC-FPD models, the FRC framework showed stress-bearing capacity for the FPD. The highest stress reduction ratio under all loading conditions was obtained using the FRC1 model. The FRC1 framework also best reduced displacement of the framework. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the optimum design of an FRC framework is to labially curve the FRC of the main framework at the region of the pontic.