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NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF SPAN LENGTHS

AFFECTING MECHANICAL RESPONSES IN ANTERIOR
RESIN-BONDED FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE
CHUN-LI LIN1,2, JIAN-JIA CHEN2
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronic,
Chang Gung University, Tao-yuan, Taiwan
Biomed. Eng. Appl. Basis Commun. 2005.17:121-125. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

ABSTRACT
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The geometric shape and mechanical structure of RBFPD compared to conventional FPD are
relatively complex and unstable. The low retention rate between the retainer and abutment affects the
prosthesis/abutment interface de-bonding, and closely relates to the design of the prosthesis and
varied occlusion status. This study used reverse engineering (RE) and computer-assisted design
(CAD) to construct two solid models of anterior RBFPD with different span lengths. After mesh
generation, biomechanical interactions of span length in RB prosthesis with two loading conditions
(axial and lateral) were performed by FE analysis. The simulated results indicated that lateral
occlusal force increased significantly 2-3 times maximum stress than that of axial occlusal force. For
different span lengths simulation, the analysis on static movement finds that longer pontic would lead
to high stress to the prosthesis. Thus, the length of the pontic has significant effect on the overall
intensity of the prosthesis under static clenching loading, and the effect of lateral loading exceeds
that of axial loading.

Biomed Eng Appl Basis Comm, 2005(June); 17: 121-125.

Keywords: finite element analysis, RBFPD, biomechanics, span.

1. INTRODUCTION restoration of the space was necessary and important.

Lost of anterior incisor would change the
occlusion and mastication states and influences the
aesthetics. Under normal occlusal loading, the adjacent
teeth would move forward and backward to the space,
and opposite teeth would extrude inducing
malocclusion and further damage the occlusion
balance, resulting in overloading partial dentition and
consequently periodontal disease. Hence, the
Received: Oct 28, 2004; Accepted: April 30, 2005
Correspondence: Chun-Li Lin, PhD
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronic,
Chang Gung University, Tao-yuan, Taiwan.
E-mail: cllin@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Taking affordability and long-term usage into account,
dentists usually would adopt traditional fixed partial
dentures (FPDs) to treatment [1-2]. However, dentin
might be injured owning to the little thickness of
enamel during tooth preparation [2]. The pulp chamber
may be also threatened in the process of abutment
preparation for young patients. Based on the above
reasons and the increasing recognition on the dentition
aesthetics, In 1973, Rochette [3] proposed the design
conception of resin-bonded fixed partial denture
(RBFPD) to ameliorate the weakness of traditional
appliance. However, the geometrical shape and
mechanical structure of RBFPD was relatively
complex and unstable when compared with traditional
FPD. The RBFPD fixed on the abutment only with
connector and mesial/distal retainers, lower retention
rate of retainer and abutment usually induces interface
de-bonding and causes treatment to fail. Recent studies

11
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indicated that lower retention rate not only relatives
with interface bonding technique of retainer/abutment
but influences by the structure design of denture,
preparation of abutment and occlusal loading
conditions.
Recently, many studies have focused on the
improvement of bonding material and augmentation of
the bonding strength for retainer/abutment interface.
However, the clinical success rate could not effectively
rise yet, mainly owing to the prosthesis design,
abutment preparation and occlusal loading conditions.
Literatures indicated that the added slot and groove
designs could efficiently transfer the occlusion force
Biomed. Eng. Appl. Basis Commun. 2005.17:121-125. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com
and increase the retention rate of retainer/abutment
interface when prepared abutment teeth [5-10]. On the
structure design of retainer framework, length of span
was the most important factor to dominate the
biomechanical aspects of the RBFPD design. In
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addition, different occlusions were mentioned also
affecting RB prostheses clinical retention [4, 11-12].
Hansson and Bergstrom observed para-functional
activity and bruxism as significant stress factors in
premature debonding in RB prostheses [13]. However,
there have been insufficient studies to illustrate the
relationship between length of span design and
occlusal forces in RBFPD. This is because traditional
experiments and clinical observations cannot provide
enough information to understand the internal
biomechanics of complicated RB prosthesis systems
[14-16]. Consequently, computer simulations based on
the FE method must be used as a complementary tool
for evaluating the detailed mechanical responses in RB
prosthesis applications [16]. The aim of this
investigation was to evaluate the biomechanical
interactions of span length in RB prosthesis with two
loading conditions (axial and lateral) using three-
dimensional FE analysis.
Table 1. Material properties assigned to dental tissues, alveolar bone (cortical
and cancellous), prosthesis, and epoxy resin
Young's Modules(MPa)
Gold Alloy 99960
Ceramic 60000
Enamel 84100
Dentin 18300
Cortical Bone 14700
Cancelloud Bone 490
PDL 50
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Vol. 17 No. 3 June 2005
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Finite Element Model Generation
Tooth plastic model of upper incisors (left and
right) and left upper lateral incisor (B9-500D, Dental
study model, Nissin dental product Inc., Japan) were
selected as the investigated samples. Point clouds of
the teeth surfaces were scanned and saved as closed
curve surface data using four axis laser scanning
system (LSH800, 3D-family, Taiwan). The geometric
maxillary bone was obtained from computer
tomography (CT) images and the solid model was
reconstructed by stacking a series of slices after
detecting contours of cortical and cancellous bone in
image processing system (Mimics, Materialise,
Belgium). Then the three teeth and maxillary bony
solid models were assembled in CAD system
(Freeform, SensAble Technologies, USA), the root of
left incisor (below CEJ) needed to cut and smooth to
adopt the geometric shape of prosthesis pontic.
Prosthesis design parameters, such as connectors, rest
seats and grooves were also generated in the CAD
system according to standard detail dimensions in
clinic. On the basis of the contours of the abutment
teeth, enamel, pulp and periodontal ligaments (PDL)
volumes (0.3mm thickness) were scaled to create
according to literature data [17, 24, 25]. In order to
understand the influences of different span lengths
under different loading states within the RBFPD
system. Two solid models with 8.5mm and 7mm span
lengths must be constructed according to previously
procedures and could be exported into finite element
package (ANSYS, Swanson Analysis Inc., Houston,
PA. USA) in standard IGES format. Due to irregularity
and complexity of the geometric couture of
retainer/abutment system, tetrahetral quadratic element
(solid 92) was adopted to mesh the solid models by
smart mesh approach providing in ANSYS. Linear and
elastic enamel, dentin, pulp, prosthesis, PDL and
alveolar bone (cortical and cancellous) material
properties were assigned according to the volume
definition from literatures (see Table 1).
Poisson's Ratio Reference
0.33 27,28
0.19 27,28
0.3 27,28
0.31 27,28
0.3 27,28
0.3 27,28
0.45 26
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2.2 Parameter Analysis
After the FE models generation, analyses would
be carried out on the different denture structure design
(length of span) of anterior RBFPD with subjecting to
different occlusal loadings (axial and lateral). Static
analysis would simulate the loading state when anterior
region was biting tightly. Therefore, the exterior nodes
at the mesial and distal surfaces of the alveolar bone
were fixed in all directions as the boundary conditions
for all models. Axial and lateral loadings (50N) from
lingual side to the buccal side were applied
respectively on the third of crown height. The
maximum principal and von Mises stresses in
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biological tissue (remaining tooth) and prosthesis,
respectively, were computed and recorded for each
model as a result of their different material
characteristics, i.e., brittle tooth structure and metal
prosthesis. There were six RBFPD FE simulation
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models (two different span length models with two
loading conditions).
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Fig. 1. FE models of anterior RBFPDs (a) 8.5 mm,
(b) 7 mm, (c) and (d) inner structures of
retainer/abutment system.
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123
3. RESULTS
The three dimensional of two RBFPD FE models
were shown in figure 1 and consisted of 44789, 42831
nodes and 179156, 171323 elements for 7 and 8 mm
span length models, respectively. Due to the different
material characteristics of gold alloy retainer, ceramics
coping and remaining biological teeth tissue, von
Mises and maximum principle stresses should be
chosen for metal frames, ceramics and abutment teeth
of their brittle properties, respectively. When whole
system was subjected to axial loading, the results
indicated that maximal stress value occurred on the
ceramic structure part of the system and stress
concentration were found at the bottom area of left
connector/abutment interface (Fig. 2) regardless of
whether different span length designs. For
investigating the influence of length of pontic span, not
only the maximal von Mises stress of metal frame but
also the maximal principle stress of ceramics and
abutment part of 8.5mm design were higher than those
of 7mm design under axial occlusion loading. Under
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Fig. 2. (a) and (b) Locations of maximum stress on
denture under axial loading for 7 and 8.5 mm. (c)
and (d) Locations of maximum stress on denture
under lateral loading for 7 and 8.5 mm.
 124
lateral loading, the position of maximal stress and
stress tendency were same as those under axial
loading, and the stress value on denture system was
higher than that under axial loading. The stress value
under lateral loading was about 2-3 times as that under
axial loading (Fig. 3), which indicated that lateral
loading did more harm to the denture system.
4. DISCUSSION
Compared with conventional FPD, an RBFPD has
the ability to preserve dentin substance, reduce the
Biomed. Eng. Appl. Basis Commun. 2005.17:121-125. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com
probability of pulp damage, and accommodate
dentition aesthetics. However, several clinical reports
have documented a low survival rate of 75% for
RBFPDs over periods of 2 to 11 years [18-20].
Continued adhesion between the retainer and the
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abutment tooth has been identified as the most
important factor influencing long-term RBFPD
success. Consequently, many studies have focused on
adhesive systems and new prosthesis materials to
improve the bonded strength of the retainer/abutment
interface. Other studies have found that
retainer/abutment retention is influenced by the
adhesive system and prosthesis material and dominated
by the framework design (retainer thickness or shape)
and occlusal contact [19]. Therefore, the RBFPD
biomechanical aspects regarding to prosthesis design
concepts must be investigated further. However, it was
difficult to understand and get the real biomechanical
aspects and information inside the tooth by traditional
experiment and clinical examining methods. This study
constructed computer 3D FE model of anterior RBFPD
using revise engineering and CAD technology and
performed the analysis to understand the influences of
different span lengths of RBFPD under axial and
lateral occlusion loading.
Fig. 3.Analysis results of different span length
under axial and lateral loadings.
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Vol. 17 No. 3 June 2005
The simulated results showed that when the
loading position was on the center of bridge influence
of horizontal loading from lingual side to the buccal
side was higher than the vertical loading from the
occlusal side to the bone side on the denture system
strength. When the center of bridge was subjected to
occlusal loading, vertical force would make the
abutment move downwards due to the flexibility of the
PDL. After a distance of downwards movement, the
tooth roots would contact the bottom alveolar bone
owing to the compress of PDL and stress was
transferred to the alveolar bone which would
effectively bear the stress of retainer/abutment bonding
system and decrease the stress value. When the
RBFPD system was subjected to horizontal loading,
although the tooth cervix would also contact the lateral
alveolar bone due to the compress of PDL, loading on
the lingual 2/3 crown height of the pontic would
induce bending moment effect on the lateral abutment
which would increase the stress values.
When the RBFPD was under different loading
direction, results indicated that 8.5mm length of span
design would induce higher stress distribution on the
retainer/abutment bonding system. This was because
the loading acted on the centre of pontic, and the arm
of force from loading position to the lateral abutment
fixation of 8.5mm design was longer comparing with
7mm design. Higher bending moment on the RBFPD
system caused the retainer/abutment interface
receiving higher stress value.
Based on the limitations of this numerical
investigation, some of the assumptions such as the
PDL material properties and loading conditions might
determine the accuracy of the mechanical responses
and stress states obtained in this study. Linear elastic
(homogeneous and isotropic) PDL characterization
was used due to numerical convergence considerations
and a larger variation for the PDL physical properties
in the literatures [21-23]. The Young's modulus of the
PDL (70.3 MPa) assumed in this study was considered
a static normal occlusal loading condition. In addition,
another limitation was the resin cement lute not
included in our mapping FE models because of we
only focused on investigating the biomechanical
performance of RBFPD with different span lengths and
their interactions. All simulations were performed
under perfect bonded conditions between the retainer
and the abutment teeth as a result of bonding strength
were assumed reaching an acceptable level. Therefore,
the results from limitations of the modeling procedure
thus give only a general insight into the tendencies of
biomechanical aspects under average conditions,
without attempting to simulate individual clinical
situations. The mechanical responses obtained from all
simulations are a first approximation and need to be
validated with clinical trials.
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