Finite element analysis for canine sliding using different arch wire sizes
Author(s): Rasha Y Al-Darzi*
Abstract
This study aimed to predict the amount of canine displacement in two axes of space movement, rotation vector, and stress distribution on the retracted canine with a sliding method using different sizes of stainless steel rectangular archwire. Materials & methods; the wires of (0.017 × 0.025, 0.017 × 0.022, 0.016 × 0.025, and 0.016 × 0.022 inch) sizes were used in a two-dimensional analysis of a numerical dental model that represents the retracted mandibular canine, extraction space, anchoring teeth (mandibular molar and premolar) constructed using ANSYS software. Subsequently, the analysis adopted the application of 1.5 N for the retraction procedure, and the data have been processed to develop a more practical finite element mesh for the analysis procedure. Results; showed large displacement in the two axes of movement when the smaller diameter of archwire sizes was used. According to this study, the rotation vector and stress distribution on the retracted tooth will have minimum or no apparent differences when using different retraction archwire sizes. Conclusion; the finite element analysis for sliding canines using different archwire sizes illustrates that the amount of canine displacement will be increased with small archwire sizes compared with the larger size, with minimum or no effect on rotation control.