Assessment of stress changes in dentoalveolar and skeletal structures of the mandible with the miniplate anchored Forsus: A three-dimensional finite element stress analysis study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study conducted to assess the effects of a fixed functional appliance (Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) on the mandible with three-dimensional (3D) finite element stress analysis.Materials and MethodsA 3D finite element model of mandible with miniplate at mandibular symphysis was prepared using SolidEdge software along with the plate geometry. The changes were deliberated with the finite element method, in the form of highest von Mises stress and maximum principal stress regions.ResultsMore areas of stress were seen in the model of the mandible at cortical bone in canine region at bone and miniplate interface.ConclusionsThis fixed functional appliance studied by finite element model analysis caused more von Mises stress and principal stress in both the cortical bone and the condylar region.