BACKGROUND:

Orthodontic force is often statically measured in general, and only the initial force derived from appliances can be assessed.

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed to investigate a technological method for measuring dynamic force using tooth movement simulation.

METHODS:

Tooth movement was simulated in a softened wax model. A canine tooth was selected for evaluation and divided into the crown and root. A force transducer was plugged in and fixed between the two parts for measuring force. Forces on this tooth were derived by ordinary nickel–titanium (Ni–Ti) wire, hyperelastic Ni–Ti wire, low-hysteresis (LH) Ti–Ni wire and self-made glass fibre-reinforced shape memory polyurethane (GFRSMPU) wire. These forces were measured after the tooth movement.

RESULTS:

The canine tooth moved to the desired location, and only a 0.2 mm deviation remained. The changing trends and magnitudes of forces produced by the wires were consistent with the data reported by other studies. The tooth had a higher moving velocity with ordinary Ni–Ti wires in comparison to the other wires. Force attenuation for the GFRSMPU wire was the lowest (40.17%) at the end of the test, indicating that it provided light but continuous force.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mimicked tooth movements and dynamic force measurements were successfully determined in tooth movement simulation. These findings could help with estimating treatment effects and optimising the treatment plan.

Search results

Dynamic measurement of orthodontic force using a tooth movement simulation system based on a wax model