[Finite element analysis on physiological mobility of individual teeth].

The initial movement of the tooth was investigated by the finite element method. The mechanical properties of the periodontal membrane were estimated from the results of the simulation. The analysis was made by using an 8 point isoparametric finite element method. The upper central incisor with an axial directional load was simulated. The concept of the apparent elastic modulus was introduced to the stress-strain relation of the soft tissue, that is, soft tissue such as the periodontal membrane and the gingiva was considered to have stress dependent elastic moduli. At the first stage of the simulation, the stress and strain distributions in the paradentium were calculated by the conventional method. From the next stage, the apparent elastic moduli for the soft tissue were introduced to the calculation, that is, the elastic moduli for the soft tissue were computed from the calculated equivalent stresses of the previous stage. The calculations were repeated until the displacement values converged. The initial displacement of the tooth was not proportional to the applied load but showed a non-linear relationship. The relationship between load and displacement was approxiated by the n-th power equation. These results were in agreement with the clinical experimental results. The periodontal membrane is built up of different elastic moduli. The elastic moduli were low at the alveolar edge and the root apex. The equivalent stresses of the periodontal membrane were marked low in the alveolar edge and the root apex. In conclusion, the concept of the apparent elastic modulus is useful to investigate the initial movement of the tooth and estimate the mechanical properties of the periodontal membrane.