Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Bond strength of the bracket is influenced by many factors in orthodontics, different bracket-base designs exert influences on bond strength, and the present experimental methods are not able to exactly describe the bond strength in view of quantitative research.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a three-dimensional finite element model of the bracket-cement-tooth and to analyze the influence of bracket base metallic wire mesh space on bond strength.
METHODS: A validated three-dimensional finite element model of the bracket-cement-tooth system was constructed with the ANSYS commercial software based on CT scanning image and standard wire arch bracket values. The stress distribution in different mesh space (0.2 mm and 0.4 mm) of the brackets was calculated under the same the shear force and twist force.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 0.2-mm mesh space had a significantly greater peak stress than 0.4-mm space, but the resistance to the destruction was lower than 0.4-mm space. The bigger the mesh space is, the larger the mesh area is, the stronger the resistance to destruction is, the better the bond strength becomes on condition that the retention form of the cement remains intact.