An expert system for stress analysis of human teeth

Abstract

A general computational model for describing the stress state for any shape tooth under any loading conditions is presented. The model is constructed based on tooth type, dimensions, materials, loads, boundary conditions, etc. The model can move seamlessly between computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) programs. Model validation is provided by comparison with three previous studies. This approach is then incorporated into an expert system with the implementation of CAD and FEA customized codes for automating the stress analysis process. Dental researchers and practitioners can use the system through a graphical user interface (GUI). Tooth shape, concentrated and distributed loads, a variety of boundary conditions, and many other parameters, such as periodontal ligament thickness and tooth bone width, can be easily varied. This permits stress evaluations for both individual case studies and parametric analyses of human teeth. Options for shape optimization and convergence tests are presented for creating reasonable geometries and obtaining accurate results.