Three Dimensional Finite Element Mesh Generation for Maxillary Second Premolar

The finite element method (FEM) has established itself as a powerful tool in biomechanics. However, developing a finite element three dimensional mesh for irregular geometry object is still a labor intensive task hence limits the usage of the three dimensional analysis for dental structures. This study presented an automatic procedure to generate the three dimensional finite element mesh of a maxillary second premolar. Tooth embedding, image processing, three dimensional automatic meshing and convergence validation were the major phases of this study. Firstly, a second premolar was sliced and scanned parallel to the occulsal surface. A self-developed image processing system was employed to detect the boundaries of different material within each section. An automatic mesh generation program were employed on these boundaries to created tetrahedral elements based on a moving nodes of uniform cube approach. Six mesh models of the second premolar with linear and nonlinear element types were analyzed. Strain energy and vonMises stresses were reviewed for convergence in the crown regions. Results of the analysis indicated that this automatic meshing procedure can provide a feasible way to generate accurate three dimensional finite element mesh for dental biomechanics study. keywords: mesh generation, maxillary second premolar, finite element method