Simulation of superelastic NiTi wire force application on orthodontic alignment case

Abstract

Nickel Titanium (NiTi) orthodontic wires are the most accurate initial wires to align the teeth by producing the less painful bone remodeling. Coupling their mechanical response, while they are engaged in the oral cavity, with the bone remodeling would permit to elucidate the reaction and the effect of this wire during the orthodontic tooth alignment. Therefore, A two-dimensional numerical long-term orthodontic tooth correction was performed to simulate a tooth intrusion movement. This simulation was achieved by taking into consideration the effect of an orthodontic appliance action on three multiteeth models. The superelastic behavior of the NiTi wire was integrated in the computer software ABAQUS via a UMAT subroutine. The orthodontic arch was initially deformed to simulate its insertion in brackets and then unloaded to apply an orthodontic load and produce initial tooth displacement. A bone remodeling process was implemented to displace the teeth depending on the strain within the periodontal ligament. The results were obtained for a treatment period of 30 days. The NiTi wire was able to recuperate its initial position, and the teeth were aligned. The numerical results of the teeth displacement were in agreement with what is expected to be produced during the alignment phase.