Wireless measurement of orthodontic forces in invisible aligners

Invisible orthodontic treatment is an effective form of malocclusion treatment favored in recent years.The magnitude of its orthodontic force has a crucial impact on the outcome of the treatment and has gained a high level of clinical interest.However,there are very few explorations of in vivo measurements of orthodontic force,and existing studies are limited to a large number of couplings,which are inconvenient for clinical use.In this work,we developed a wireless flexible measurement system that allows quantitative measurement of the orthodontic force of an invisible aligner on a dental model.The system is wireless,tiny,flexible,fast responding,and has a range suitable for the range of orthodontic forces.We show the difference in the orthodontic force applied to different tooth positions and the difference in the orthodontic force applied to different positions of the same tooth.In addition,the system can evaluate the mechanical differences between aligners of different brands and materials as well as the deviation of fabrication results.This system provides a test tool and evaluation method for future real-time assessment of clinical orthodontic forces.

A biomechanical case study on the optimal orthodontic force on the maxillary canine tooth based on finite element analysis

Excessive forces may cause root resorption and insufficient forces would introduce no effect in orthodontics. The objective of this study was to investigate the optimal orthodontic forces on a maxillary canine, using hydrostatic stress and logarithmic strain of the periodontal ligament（PDL） as indicators. Finite element models of a maxillary canine and surrounding tissues were developed. Distal translation/tipping forces, labial translation/tipping forces, and extrusion forces ranging from 0 to 300 g（100 g=0.98 N） were applied to the canine, as well as the force moment around the canine long axis ranging from 0 to 300 g·mm. The stress/strain of the PDL was quantified by nonlinear finite element analysis, and an absolute stress range between 0.47 k Pa（capillary pressure） and 12.8 k Pa（80% of human systolic blood pressure） was considered to be optimal, whereas an absolute strain exceeding 0.24%（80% of peak strain during canine maximal moving velocity） was considered optimal strain. The stress/strain distributions within the PDL were acquired for various canine movements, and the optimal orthodontic forces were calculated. As a result the optimal tipping forces（40–44 g for distal-direction and 28–32 g for labial-direction） were smaller than the translation forces（130–137 g for distal-direction and 110–124 g for labial-direction）. In addition, the optimal forces for labialdirection motion（110–124 g for translation and 28–32 g for tipping） were smaller than those for distal-direction motion（130–137 g for translation and 40–44 g for tipping）. Compared with previous results, the force interval was smaller than before and was therefore more conducive to the guidance of clinical treatment. The finite element analysis results provide new insights into orthodontic biomechanics and could help to optimize orthodontic treatment plans.

Differences in root stress and strain distribution in buccal and lingual orthodontics: A finite element analysis study

Orthodontic forces can cause stress and strain concentration and microcracks on tooth root surfaces.This study aimed to analyze whether a lingual orthodontic appliance was more likely to cause root stress concentration and root resorption than the traditional buccal appliance.A finite element model of the root of the maxillary central incisor with straight,buccal,and lingual curvatures was established.A load perpendicular to the tooth surface on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the central incisor was applied,and the stress and strain concentration at the root apex was compared.The stress and strain at the root apex of the lingual cingulum group were lesser than those of the buccal group;little difference was observed between the lingual and buccal clinical crown central augmentation groups.The stress and strain at the root apex of the lingual direction movement group were greater than those of the buccal direction movement group.The direction of the root curvature also influenced the amount of stress and strain at the root apex.The difference in the risk of root resorption between lingual and buccal orthodontics is dependent on the height of the bracket placement.The loading direction of the orthodontic force and direction of the root curvature also affect the stress and strain at the root apex.