A strain gauge and photoelastic analysis of in vivo strain and in vitro stress distribution in human dental supporting structures

Strain gauge and photoelastic experiments have been workhorses of experimen tal stress analysis for over 50 years. In this study, both were used to ana lyse the nature of stress distribution from the tooth root surface to the s upporting alveolar bone. Such studies help in understanding the behaviour o f dental supporting structures under physiological function. In the strain gauge experiment, the mechanical strains were measured on the supporting bo ne surface and the root surface of the tooth under applied bite force. It w as found that higher strains were distributed along the cervical region of the supporting bone and the root surface. The photoelastic study was also d one to evaluate the stress distribution pattern from the root surface to th e supporting bone under clinical conditions. The stress patterns were found to decrease from the cervical to the apical region of the root surface, Th ese studies highlight the role of the periodontium in stress distribution a nd bone remodelling. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.