Orthodontictooth movementanalysed

by the FiniteElementMethod
KR. Williamsand J.T. Edmundson
Department of Restorative Dentistry, The Dental School, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XY, Wales
(Received 2 February 1984; accepted 14 April 1984)

The position of the instantaneous centre of rotation (ICR) of a maxillary central incisor has been calculated using
the Finite Element Method. It is shown that the centre of rotation is insensitive to the elastic properties of the
periodontal ligament when Poisson’s ratio (v) is in the range tT-fl.45. The position of the ICR is independent of
load but dependent on the point of loading, becoming less apical as the loading position moves above the cervical
margin. This dependence when used in conjunction with the clinical findings of Stephens’, suggests an inverse
linear relationship between the ICR and rate of retraction.

Keywords: Tooth, Fmite Element Method, instantaneous centre of rotation, periodontal membrane, elastic propemes,
Poisson 5 ratio

Recent studies have examined the position of the instan- ICR in relation to the assumed properties of the
taneous centre of rotation (ICR) of incisor teeth following periodontal membrane. The FEM also calculates the local
various patterns of loading. Theoretical methods of stress system at the periodontal membrane/alveolar bone
calculation of the ICR have been based on either solid interface. These values together with clinical measure-
geometry considerations (SG)’ or the Finite Element ment of tooth movements will eventually form a relation-
Method (FEM)‘, 3. Both these methods produce similar ship between the rate of tooth movement with applied
findings in agreement with the clinical experimental work load.
of Christiansen and Burstone4.
The theoretical ICR measurements are based on the
METHODS
elastic properties of the tooth, surrounding bone and
periodontal membranes and necessarily supply only
The Finite Element Method
elastic displacements of the tooth. Removal of the load or
force would automatically lead to instantaneous recovery The FEM was originally introduced some twenty years ago
of the tooth to its original position. However, it is apparent as a process for solving problems in structural mechanics.
that continued loading leads to movement of the tooth The range of applications has become wider and it is now
due to remodelling of the alveolar bone. Yettram et al.’ in recognized as a general numerical approximation method
their original FEM work on tooth rotation state that a for any physical problem capable of being modelled by
correlation exists between the ICR of a tooth, subjected to differential equations. Development of the FEM and its
orthodontic loads, and the distribution of the subsequent applications continues and the present work utilizes
remodelling of the alveolar bone and periodontal software based on the work of Hinton and Owen’, 7 at
membrane. Furthermore, Stephens5 from his clinical Swansea, using parabolic isoparametric elements and a
findings on the centre of rotation of maxillan/ incisors, frontal solution process. The advantages of the FEM over
concludes that the instantaneous and orthodontic centre other methods (particularly the photoelastic method) are
of rotation are one and the same and support the view that many, in particular the relative ease of modelling complex
the manner in which incisor teeth move in response to a irregular geometries of natural tissue and biomaterials. It
single applied force depends principally on the physical is also a straight forward process to allow for the non-
properties of the tooth root, supporting bone and homogeneous, anisotropic properties of natural materials.
periodontal membrane. Evidently, therefore, an accurate Combinations of mechanical and thermal loading can also
assessment of the instantaneous centre of rotation of be incorporated.
single rooted teeth under a variety of loads and loading In the work described the stress distribution within
conditions would be of clinical benefit in enabling the final the structure was calculated using a Poisson’s ratio of the
tooth position to be established. periodontal ligament between 0 and 0.5. It is recognized
It is the purpose of this report to establish the ICR for that the numerical analysis used may not be meaningful at
a maxillary central incisor under a variety of loading values approaching 0.5. However, a modified programme
conditions and material properties using the latest FEM is available which can handle values greaterthan 0.45 and
techniques. Of particular interest are the positions of the this will be employed in subsequent work.

0 1984 Butterworth Et Co (Publishers) Ltd. 0142-9612/84/060347~5$03.00

Biomaterials 1984. Vol 5 November 347

Analysis of tooth movement: K.R. Williams and J. T. ~dmundsoo

2s

2.-

23-

22-

21 -

20-

IP-
APPEX
IS-

,7-

Id-
* = 1x3. Y3) - tx*. Y2,
15- COfR = d x100,
-
II -
1
,3-

t2-

1,

IO-

9-

8-

0
0 1 i 5 6 i 8 9 lo 1‘1 ii ib I> Ii 19 2’0 21 i2 23 2; is 26 27 28 2b 30

Figure I fa) The geometric mesh indicating the various hard and soft tissue; (b) the method of measuring the instanianeous centre of
rotation (KU)

The geometric mesh is set up as illus.rated in Fig- agreement with the clinical findings of Stephens’.
ure 1. The programme allows simulation of different Particularly important is the effect of the periodontal
magnitudes of load at different points of application; new membrane on the ICR and tip movement. Because the
material properties can easily be assigned to one or more properties of this tissue are relatively ill defined the
elements thus allowing a directly comparable set of positions of the ICR have been determined over a range of
results to be obtained. values.
The structure to be analysed, is divided into a Figure 2 indicates the effect of Poisson’s ratio of the
number of distinct non-overlapping regions known as periodontal membrane for various levels of elastic
elements. These elements are connected at a discrete modulus on the ICR, while Figure 3 plots this data in terms
number of points along their periphery known as nodal of ICR and elastic modulus for various values of Poisson’s
points. The two dimensional plain strain analysis of this ratio. These data can also be presented as a map of ICR
work uses a mesh of 8 noded parabolic isoparametric contours for differing values of elastic modulus and
elements. A further important aspect of this type of Poisson’s ratio as shown in Figure 4.
element is the allowance of more accurate modelling of The tooth tip movement in relation to the elastic
the curvature of natural tissue. The computer programme modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the periodontal membrane
allows quadratic inte~olation of stress values at either 4 is shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively.
or 9 Gauss points within each element. Different material A further important relationship is that between the
properties can be assigned to each Gauss point, effec- point of load application and the resulting ICR position
tively allowing the mesh to be refined by factors of 4 or 9. and tip movement. These are shown in Figures 7 and 8
The mesh shown in Figure I contains 90 elements with respectively.
313 nodes, and the elastic and physical properties of each
of the materials is given in Tab/e 7. Table 1 Material properties

Material Elastic Poisson-s Coefficient

RESULTS modulus (MPa) ratio expansion (1 O*)

A load of IO N was applied laterally as shown in Figure fa,

Periodontal
and its position varied between the dentine/enamel membrane 0.5-l 00.0 O-O.45 0.7
junction and tooth tip. The definition of the instantaneous Hard bone 13 800.0 0.26 8.0
centre of rotation chosen for this work is illustrated in Soft bone 345.0 0.38 8.0
Dentine 18 600.0 0.31 8.3
Figure lb.
Enamel 84 100.0 0.33 11.4
It is found that changes in the magnitude of the Pulp 2.0 0.45 0.7
applied load had a negligible effect on the ICR, in

348 Biomateriafs 1984, Vol5 November

 Analysis of tooth movement: K.R. Williams and J. T Edmundson

lE = 0.5
OE = 1.0
25 n E = 1.45
qE = 2.0
AE =lO.O
aE=lOO.O

20
a

8
;:
2 15

k ---
Y \ I_
g 10

tli

---

0 1
- , -
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 50 0.1 1 .o 10.0 100.0

POISSON RATIO YOUNG'S MODCLUS N/m2

Figure 2 Effect of Poisson ratio and elastic modulus of the periodontal Figure 3 ICR plotted against Poisson ratio at various values of elastic
membrane on the ICR. modulus.

DISCUSSION rotation are the same, then the relationship shown in

Figure 4 of Stephen’s work5 may be identified with Figure 7
The definition of the ICR for the purpose of this analysis is of this work. Combination of these data suggest the rate
shown in Figure 7b, based on the x, y movements of the of retraction is inversely proportional to the height of load
tooth apex and tip. We feel this is a more realistic acting, the tooth tending to retract faster the more apical
definition because it relates to the whole tooth geometry the position of the ICR. Detailed analysis of the local stress
and not sections as previously defined. However, our and displacement patterns indicate that when the ICR is
definition is easily related to other workers’ interpretation at the apex, the whole of the periodontal membrane in the
through analysis of local displacements. The ICR gives palatal direction is under compression while in the labial
only a global assessment of the tooth movement. What is direction a tensile stress exists. At intermediate positions
far more important in terms of bone remodelling are the of ICR a more complex stress pattern ensues with both
local stresses at the dentine/periodontal membrane and tension and compression stresses existing both on the
periodontal membrane/alveolar bone interfaces. How- palatal and labial aspects of the tooth. When a stress of
ever, as has been suggested by Yettram et al.2 and one type only exists over the whole surface of one side of
determined clinically by Stephens5, the actual position of the root, then it is expected that the cellular processes
the ICR is a good indicator of the likely subsequent leading to bone remodelling are all in one direction, i.e.,
rotation of the tooth and its rate of rotation. The position of either deposition or resorption. This would be the case
the ICR determined over a wide range of elastic properties when the ICR is at the apex. When the ICR is above the
is therefore an important indicator of the rate and position apex however, complex stress patterns of both a tensile
of movement. Figures 2 and 3 examine the effect of a and compressive nature exist on both the labial and
range of E and v values for the periodontal membrane on palatal aspects of the root. Under these circumstances the
the ICR. At typically quoted values of E(0.5-2.0 MPa) the
cellular processes leading to bone remodelling on each
ICR remains insensitive to v up to values approaching
aspect of the tooth are now in opposite directions at
0.45. Increasing values of elastic modulus have a more
gradual effect on the ICR at various levels of Poisson’s
ratio. However, for typically quoted values of E, the ICR is
relatively insensitive to v. The contour map of Figure 4
summarizes these findings.
The calculations of tip movement (Figures 5 and 6)
may be of importance in relation to actual measurements,
and to the design and range of application of orthodontic
appliances of new materials.
Figure 7 shows the relationship between the height
of the loading and ICR, while the tip movement is directly
proportional to the load position (Figure 8).
Stephens5 in his original clinical findings of tooth
rotation indicated a relationship between the axis of
rotation (I) and rate of retraction (d) of the form:

/ = 1.06 - 0.13 log d

Figure 4 Figures 2 and 3 summarized as a serves of contour
If it is assumed that the ICR and the orthodontic centre of maps.

Biomaterials 1984, Vol 5 November 349

Analysis of tooth movement: K.R. Williams and J. 7. Edmundson

3oc

24C

40 60 80 100

LOAD ACTING AT X% HEIGHT

Figure 7 Relationship between ICR and the height at which the load
acts above the apex.

0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0

circumstances the rate of tooth movement would be
YOUNG’S MODULUS H/ml2
expected to be highest.
Figure 5 Relationship between tooth tip movement and Poisson rafio
This hypothesis leads on to the development of a
at several w&es of elastic modulus.
relationship between local stress patterns and local bone
OE = 0.5 resorption/deposition processes. It is then possible to
OE = 1.0
300
l E = 1.45
measure local bone changes with time using X-ray or
qE = 2.0 associated techniques and then relate these changes to
.E = 10.0
aI? = 100.0
local stress patterns generated by the FEM.

24#-

CONCLUSIONS
A Finite Element analysis has been made of the movement
of a central incisor tooth under lateral loading. It is found
that the ICR is relatively insensitive to the elastic
properties of the periodontal membrane, particularly over
the range of Poisson’s ratio C-0.45. In lieu of absolute
materials property data for the periodontal ligament, a
series of ICR contours for a range of values of elastic
modulus and Poisson’s ratio have been displayed.
60

0.0 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.45 0.50

POISSON RATIO
figure 6 Same data as figure 5, plotted as tip movement against
Poisson ratio at different values of E.

J
different positions. Bone is thus being resorbed and laid
down on each side. Clearly a complicated remodelling
process occurs at positions where the stresses switch
from tensile to compression. The rate of tooth movement
may, therefore, be determined by the area of root
periodontum over which the stress gradually shifts from
large tensile to large compressive modes. In these switch-
over zones the cellular processes leading to remodelling
/
may well be inactive or at least change from a bone
deposition to bone resorption mode as tooth movement
occurs. It is consistent, therefore, that when the ICR exists
at or below the apex, the stresses on each aspect of the
tooth are the same; either tensile or compressive. There
are no switch-over zones and thus all the cellular 0 45 60 80 100
processes are acting together on each side of the tooth, LOAD ACTING AT X% HEIGHT
either laying down or resorbing bone. Under these figure 8 A plot of tip movement against height of loading.

350 Riomaterials 1984. Vat 5 November

 Analysis of tooth movement: K.R. Williams and J. T. Edmundson

The ICR is related to the position of loading, 2 Yettram. A.L., Wright, K.W.J. and Houston, W.J.B., Centre of
rotatron of a maxillary central incrsor under orthodontrc loadmg,
becoming less apical the higher the point of load
Brit. J. Ortho. 1977, 4. 23-27
application from the cervical margin. This relationship 3 Steyn. C.L.. Verwoerd. W.S., vande Merwe, E.J. and Lawrie. O.L..
together with the clinical measurements of Stephens5, Calculation of the position of the axis of rotation when single
suggest that the tooth movement is most rapid when rooted teeth are orthodontrcally tipped, ht. J. Ortho. 1978, 5,
stresses of similar tvpe exist within the periodontum on 153-l 56
4 Christiansen, R.L. and Burstone, C.J., Centres of rotation within
each side of the root.
the periodontal space, Amer. J. Oflho. 1969, 55, 353-369
5 Stephens, C.D., The orthodonttc center of rotation of the
maxillary central incisor, Amer. J. Ortho. 1979, 76, 209-217
REFERENCES 6 Hinton. E. and Owen, D.R.J., Finite Element Programming,
Academic Press, London, 1977
1 Sutclrffe, E.J. and Atherton, J.D., The mechanics of tooth 7 Hrnton. E. and Owen, D.R.J., An mtroduction to Finite Element
mobiltty. kit. J. Oltho. 1980, 7, 171-l 78 Computations, Pineridge Press, Swansea, 1979

Biomaterials 1984, Vol 5 November 351