Abstract:

Objective In order to find out the cause of molar intrusion and how to avoid molar intrusion, we analyze the movement tendency of tooth by changing the angles of upper accentuated-curve and the height of free traction hook. Methods Spiral CT scanning and Mimics 10.0 software were employed in this study to construct the three dimensional finite element model of maxillary teeth, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone as well as the inch stainless steel upper accentuated-curve archwires with different angles（5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°） and the free traction hook with different height（2.1, 4.0, 5.5 mm）. By exerting 1.5 N backward force to analysis the displacement trend of maxillary tooth. Results Upper accentuated-curve archwires made the incisors labially tip, intruse, distally upright and mesilabially torsion; made the canines labially tip, prolong, mesial-tipped and mesi-labially torsion; made the second premolars and the first molars buccal tip, intruse, distal upright and mesi-labially torsion. With the angle of upper accentuated- curve archwires increased, all tooth movement tendency increased; while with the height of free traction hook increased, all tooth movement tendency decreased. Conclusion When the angle of upper accentuated-curve archwires increased, the extent of molar intrusion increased, but when the height of free traction hook increased, the degree of molar intrusion decreased. The degree of molar intrusion was minimum using 5° upper accentuated-curve archwires cooperated with 5.5 mm free traction hook.

Key words: three dimensional finite element； accentuated-curve archwires； mini-screw, free traction hook； space closing； molar intrusion