An experimental study of arch perimeter and arch width increase with mandibular expansion: a finite element method.

AIMS The objective of this study was to estimate the increase in arch perimeter associated with mandibular lateral expansion, To estimate the increase in intermolar width with mandibular lateral expansion and to find out the changes of tooth inclination with mandibular expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS The mandibular bone with dentition of indian skeletal specimen was obtained. The computer tomogram (CT) slices of the mandible were taken. Finite element model (FEM): Numerical representation of the geometry was created by dividing the geometry into finite number of elements and the elements were connected together with nodes at the junction. RESULTS The result of the study showed when 10° of lateral expansion was applied to the lower buccal segment at the center of rotation found at 4.3 mm below the root apex of first molar, a space of 1.3 mm between the canine and first premolar, and thus an increase in arch perimeter of 2.6 mm. CONCLUSION The tip of the mesiolingual cusp of the first molar moved 4.2 mm laterally, resulting in a change in intermolar width by 8.4 mm. Three-dimensional simulation showed that 1 mm of intermolar expansion increased the arch perimeter by 0.30 mm. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE As the finite element method evolves and scientists are able to more clearly define physical properties of biological tissues, more accurate information can be generated at the level that other analytical methods cannot fully provide data.This result would be of value clinically for prediction of the effects of mandibular expansion.