Concept for development of new individual treatment devices in orthodontics using 3-dimensional numerical simulation of bone remodeling]

The present study is part of a research project that includes different components for the simulation of orthodontic tooth movement and comparing experimental results. This concept includes the development of a bone remodelling algorithm, as well as experimental studies on tooth movement. After the acquisition and evaluation of specific experimental data of the patient's situation, the individual components have to be integrated to verify and forecast tooth movement. The aim is to design individual treatment devices as well as to shorten treatment while making it more effective. The geometry of the teeth and that of the surrounding alveolar bone both influence the orthodontic tooth movement. For this reason, an exact morphological tooth model for the valid simulation of the tooth movement is needed, and can be constructed from computed tomography data. Simulation of tooth movement can then be compared with "in vivo" measurements of the orthodontic tooth movement. In this study, a specially developed hybrid retraction spring is employed. This spring enables the application of a defined, almost constant force system. The "in vivo" determined tooth movement is simulated with the aid of special positioning and measuring devices. Meanwhile, the active force system can be determined by 6-component force/moment sensors. The experimentally measured force system, "in vivo" measurements of tooth movement and the CT model are now available for numerical simulation for the first time.