Effect of the archwire slot profile on the performance of bonded orthodontic brackets

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lewis, Gladius^; | Kambhampati, Sarma | Roussel, Stephanie

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Memphis, Campus Box 526576, Memphis, TN 38152-6576, USA | 59890 Quesnay sur Deule, France

Note: [] Corresponding author. Please address requests for reprints also to Dr Gladius Lewis.

Abstract: The finite element analysis method and a two-dimensional idealization were used to conduct a parametric study of the effect of the archwire slot (or insert) profile on the stresses in, deformation of, and efficiency of a model of a bonded edge-wise “combination-materials” type of orthodontic bracket. The results are consistent with a priori expectations and are qualitatively the same as those obtained by previous workers who used the two-dimensional photoelasticity stress analysis method. The results thus highlight a possible approach to improving the clinical performance of these brackets.

Keywords: Orthodontic bracket, debonding, finite element analysis, von Mises stress

DOI: 10.3233/BME-1997-7305

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 205-212, 1997