How Does the First Molar Root Location Affect the Critical Stress Pattern in the Periodontium? A Finite Element Analysis

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The first molar root location plays a pivotal role in neutralization of forces applied to the teeth to prevent injury. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the effect of maxillary and mandibular first molar root location on biomechanical behavior of the periodontium under vertical and oblique loadings. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA), the maxillary and mandibular first molars and their periodontium were modeled. The Young’s modulus and the Poisson’s ratio for the enamel, dentin, dental pulp, periodontal ligament (PDL), and cortical and cancellous bones were adopted from previous studies. The changes in maximum von Misses stress (MVMS) values of each component were analyzed. RESULTS: The MVMS values were the highest in the enamel followed by dentin, cortical bone, cancellous bone, and PDL. The maxillary and mandibular first molars with different root locations and their periodontium showed different biomechanical behaviors under the applied loads. CONCLUSION: An interesting finding was that the stress concentration point in the path of load degeneration changed from the cervical third in dentin to the apical third in the cancellous bone, which can greatly help in detection of susceptible areas over time.