Automatic finite element mesh generation for maxillary second premolar

Developing three dimensional finite element mesh models for irregular geome tric objects requires a large amount of manual efforts, hence limiting the three dimensional approach for dental structure analyses. An automatic proc edure which can be used to generate a three dimensional finite element mesh for the maxillary second premolar was developed in this study. Firstly, a embedded second premolar was sliced and scanned parallel to the occlusal su rface. A self-developed image processing system was employed to detect the boundaries of different materials within each section. An automatic mesh ge neration program was used on these boundaries to create tetrahedral element s based on moving nodes of uniform cube approach. Six mesh models of the se cond premolar with different element sizes using linear and quadratic eleme nts were analyzed. Strain energy and von Mises stresses were reviewed for c onvergence in the crown regions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.