Authors
1 Professor Dental Research Center and Orthodontics Department Tehran University of Medical Sciecnes
2 Post graduate Student Orthodontics Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Desirable tooth movements need optimal force systems. Loops are employed to move teeth properly. L-loop is used frequently due to its ease of fabrication. The aim of this study is to assess the expected forces and moments when a definite length of wire is bent to form L-loop. In other words, the effect of loop height and width on the produced force and moment is evaluated by the finite element method (FEM).
Materials and methods: Six 3D finite element models were designed of an L-loop without pre-activation bends keeping the total lengths of wire equal to 24.34+/- 0.5 mm. The cross section of wire was 0.016”× 0.022”. The force produced by activation in a 0.1 millimeter increment was recorded.
Results: In model L1, the findings start with 0.086 N in 0.1 mm of activation and increased to 0.88 N in 1mm of loop opening. The pattern of findings was almost the same for other loop designs (L2 through L6) with an increase in findings. M/F ratios were almost constant in a loop design along its activation starting with 3 in L1 and reaching about 1.9-2 in L6.
Conclusions: Moment to force ratios were almost constant in a loop design along its activation. increasing width and decreasing height with almost the same length of loop wire can increase force and therefor reduce M/F ratio.
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