Masters Theses

Abstract

"Abfraction is a small crack or notch found at the cervical areas of a teeth due to the loss of enamel tissues in the teeth. Proposed explanations for are that it is caused by toothbrush abrasion, acid erosion, and the mechanical forces applied on the teeth due to chewing, biting, tongue activity. There is disagreement among dentists as to the primary causes of abfraction. Some dentists believe that abfraction is caused by toothbrush abrasion and erosion due to acidic food and drinks. Other dentists believe that tensile and compressive forces acting on the teeth from non-axial, cyclical loading over an individual's lifetime cause the breakdown of the microstructure of the teeth, which can lead to the non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) called as abfractions. In the present study 2D and 3D teeth structures were modeled and studied by simulating the biomechanical forces acting on the teeth using the ABAQUS finite element code. 3D teeth were modeled on MIMICS, 3D image processing software from scanned images of the premolar teeth using the I-CAT 3-D Imaging System. Experiments were conducted using a non-axial eccentric cyclic loading is applied on to teeth samples extracted from the patients using the Fatigue testing machine. The objective of this research is to provide evidence to support the theory of abfraction by simulating the behavior of the teeth at the buccal and lingual cervical regions when the mechanical forces are applied on them and by showing the wear of the enamel structure at the microscopic level by applying a non axial cyclic load on the teeth samples"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Dharani, Lokeswarappa R.

Committee Member(s)

Moorkamp, William B.
Carroll, Douglas R.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Pagination

x, 83 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-44).

Rights

© 2010 Madhuchandra Mehadevaswamy, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Dental enamel
Finite element method
Strains and stresses
Teeth -- Mechanical properties
Teeth

Thesis Number

T 9742

Print OCLC #

722923440

Electronic OCLC #

653239899

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