Biomechanics 1 – midterm molecular

** introduction :

- Orthodontic problems are the result of mechanical forces , and their

correction depends on mechanical forces
- The force systems in the face can form or deform, and their conscious
control is continuing challenge in orthodontics
- Understanding the fundamentals of mechanics must be the starting point
for understanding orthodontics
- An understanding and proper application of biomechanical principles
enables efficient tooth movement in the shortest possible duration and
with minimal tissue damage
*** sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of biomechanics is
necessary :
- To understand the design of an appliance
- To know its mode of action
- To understand the response of tooth and other structures to application of force
- In applying them them to oral environment , one combines engineering with dentistry ,
which requires a mixes terminology :
biology + mechanics = Bio-mechanics

**** Biomechanics laws & terminologies :

- Laws & terminologies :
- Force - moment - couple - moment
to force ratio
- Direction - Moment of - Moment of -
force couple
- Magnitude - Factors - Factors -
controlling the controlling moment
moment of force of couple
- Point of - Center of - -
application( center of rotation
resistance )
- - Center of - -
rotation & type of
tooth movement
- - - -
 *** force :
- Definition :
- Is a load applied to an object that will tend to move it to a different
position in the space
- Generally , force is expressed in unit of newtons (N) , in orthodontics ,
forces have been commonly expressed in grams (g)
- I Newtown = 101.9716212 g
- Force is a vector having both direction & magnitude
- In clinical terms , the direction maybe :
a. Pull ( towards the source of force )
b. Push ( away from source of force )
- The magnitude may be : light or heavy
*** magnitude ( light ) : optimum orthodontic force
Type of movement Force ( gm)
tipping 35-60
rotation 35-60
extrusion 35-60
intrusion 10-20
Root up rightening 50-100
Body ( translation) 70-120
**** point of application :
- The point of application of force is also important for understanding tooth
movements
- Theoretically , point of application of force can be at :
a. Center of mass :
A free body in space has a point in its mass, which behaves as if the
whole mass is concentrated at that single point
This point is termed as center of mass in a gravity – free environment
b. Center of gravity :
The same is called ( center of gravity ) in an environment where gravity
is present
The center of gravity of the tooth is located more towards the crown of
the tooth as the mass of tooth is concentrated more coronolly
c. Center of resistance :
It’s a point at which resistance to tooth movement is concentrated
 A tooth in the oral cavity , isn’t a free body because of its supporting
tissues , which would restrain its movement
Its at the approximate midpoint of the embedded portion of root
**** where is the center of resistance?
a. Single tooth ?
b. Two – tooth unit ?
c. Full upper dentition
--- the center of resistance for a single rooted tooth estimated by
different authors as :
a. At 50 % of root length ( proffit )
b. Between 50% to 30% of root length ( smith & burstone)
c. Between 25 to 33% of root length – nanda
- Location of center of resistance of a tooth depends upon several factors ,
such as L root length , morphology ,number of roots & level of alveolar bone
support
- The center of resistance of a single- rooted tooth with normal alveolar bone
level is situated at about1/4 to 1/3 the distance from CEJ to the root apex
- The center of resistance shifts apically >>> in case of alveolar bone loss
- While it may shifts coronolly >> in case root resorption ( root shortened )
- In case of multirooted teeth , the center of resistance is 1-2 mm apical to
furcation
- The approximate location of center of resistance for two-tooth unit sjown
in fig 18.3
- The center of resistance for maxilla is about 5-19 mm inferior to the orbital
fig 18.4

***** forces acting at the center of resistance :

- Any force acting through the tooth s center of resistance would bring about
translation of the tooth along the line of action of the force
- Such a movement when all parts of the tooth move the same amount in the
same direction is called as bodily movement
- Bodily movement of the tooth would be desirable in most cases of
malocclusion. However , in orthodontics , it is rarely possible to apply force
at the tooth s center of resistance , which is located on the root as the
brackets can only be placed on the crown of the tooth
- If a force is applied to a body and the force doesn’t act through the center
of resistance , then the force tends to rotate the body rather then
translating it
- The tendency to rotate is called as ( moment )
- Rotation can be defined as the movement of a body where no 2 points on
the body move to the same amount in the same direction
- Moment : is defined as a tendency to rotate
- The total tooth movement , resulting from forces not acting through the
center of resistance , is a combination of rotation & translation , occurring
simultaneously
- In other words , a single force applied not at the center of resistance causes
the body to rotate around the center of resistance while the center of
resistance simultaneously moves in all direction of the line of force
- **** center of rotation :
- When a body rotates , there is another point located either internal or
external to he body around which , the body turns and this pint is cslled
center of rotation
- Center of rotation can be defined as an arbitrary ( dictatorial) point about
which a body appears to have rotated , as determined from its initial and
final position
- Location of he center of rotation varies and depends on how far the force is
applied from the center of resistance
- The center of rotation can approach but can never reach the center of
resistance
a. Center of rotation in controlling tipping :
Here the center of rotation lies somewhere nears the center of
resistance of the tooth
b. Center of rotation in controlling tipping:
In controlled tipping , the center of rotation will be at the root of apex
c. Center of rotation in torquing movement :
It is at incisal edge during torquing
d. Center of rotation during intrusion & extrusion :
It is outside the tooth during intrusion & extrusion
 e. Center of rotation in bodily movement :
If the force is applied at the center of resistance , the body translates and
the center of rotation is infinity

**** moment :
-we can apply a force only on the exposed part of the tooth , which is at a
distance from the center of resistance .
- therefore , with a single force in a typical clinical situation , we invariavly creat
a moment , called as ( moment of force ).
**** factors controlling the moment :
a. Moment of force ( Mf)
b. Magnitude of force ( F)
c. Perpendicular distance ( d )
Mf = F *d >>> the clinician can achieve the desired force systems by
altering these 2 variables 1.e: the magnitude of force & distance
*** in orthodontic terminology , we refer to moment as :
a. Rotation
b. Tipping
c. Torquing
*** couple :
Two equal & opposite , non- collinear

- The 2 forces cancel out any tendency for the center of resistance to move ,
but the moment created by the two forces doesn’t cancel each other
- If the two force s of the couple action on opposite sides of the center of
resistance , their effect is additive
- However , if they are on the same side of the center of resistance , there
effect is subtractive
- Explanation:
Resultant moment = Fd1+ Fd2
 - Additive couple is more efficient in rotation than subtractive couple

****factors controlling the moment of a couple :

a. Moment (M)
b. One of the forces ( F1 or F2)
c. Moment arm of the couple ( d)

M=F1*d OR M = F2*d
Couple – clinical point :
- When the tooth is embedded within the alveolar bone , we cant apply a
couple with one force on the crown and the other force on the root
- We can apply a couple only on the exposed part of the tooth ( bracket)
- Depending on the plane in which the couple is acting , this rotation has
been called ( rotation ) first order , ( tipping ) second order , ( torque ) third
order in orthodontics
- A couple brings about pure rotation of the body around the center of
resistance
- The control that couples provide in three planes of space is the unique
features of the original edgewise bracket and is the basic characteristics
Of most fixed appliances which are in use today
****** Recap :
- From now ownwords , you are familiar with terminologies such as :
a. Force
b. Moment of force
c. Couple
d. Moment of a couple

*** types of tooth movement :

1. Root torque :
Is usually achived by appling the force couple to the crown of the
tooth , at the same time mechanically restricting crown movement in
the opposite direction
The center of rotation of the tooth is at the incisal edge or bracket
Stresses in the pdl are more near the root apex
 2. Vertical tooth movement ( intrusion & extrusion ) :
- Vertical tooth movement can be in the form of intrusion or extrusion
a. Intrusion :
Intrusion of the tooth involves resorption of bone , particularly around
the apex of the tooth . in this movement , the whole of supporting
structures are under pressure with virtually no areas of tension
b. Extrusion :
Extrusion of the teeth from its socket can be achieved without much
resorption of bone , bone deposition being required to reform the
supporting mechanism of the tooth . generally speaking , tension is
induced on the whole of the supporting structure rather then pressure

3. Rotation :
- The movement of the tooth around its along axis is termed as rotation in
orthodontics
- Pure rotation of the tooth in its socket requires the application of a force
couple . a couple is created by applying equal & opposite forces to the
different areas of the tooth
- Rotational movements don’t normally require any greater force than the
tipping movement , but there is a much greater tendency for rotational
movement to relapse

Good luck all

Dr. Ibrahim alturk
-
Vertical tooth movement :
addictive & subtractive :