Open Access

ARTICLE

A Global Numerical Analysis of the “Central Incisor / Local Maxillary Bone” System using a Meshless Method

S.F. Moreira^∗, J. Belinha^{∗,† ,‡}, L.M.J.S. Dinis^∗,†, R.M. Natal Jorge^∗,†

∗ IDMEC - Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
† Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto – FEUP, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
‡ Correspondent Author. E-mail: jorge.belinha@fe.up.pt

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics 2014, 11(3), 151-184. https://doi.org/10.3970/mcb.2014.011.151

Abstract

In this work the maxillary central incisor is numerically analysed with an advance discretization technique – Natural Neighbour Radial Point Interpolation Method (NNRPIM). The NNRPIM permits to organically determine the nodal connectivity, which is essential to construct the interpolation functions. The NNRPIM procedure, based uniquely in the computational nodal mesh discretizing the problem domain, allows to obtain autonomously the required integration mesh, permitting to numerically integrate the differential equations ruling the studied physical phenomenon. A numerical analysis of a tooth structure using a meshless method is presented for the first time. A two-dimensional model of the maxillary central incisor, based on the clinical literature, is established and two distinct analyses are performed. First, a complete elasto-static analysis of the incisor/maxillary structure using the NNRPIM is evaluated and then a non-linear iterative bone tissue remodelling analysis of the maxillary bone, surrounding the central incisive, is performed. The obtained NNRPIM solutions are compared with other numerical methods solutions available in the literature and with clinical cases. The results show that the NNRPIM is a suitable numerical method to analyse numerically dental biomechanics problems.

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Keywords

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