Finite element analysis for stress-strain distribution in bracket- Archwire configuration

Objective: To develop an optimum bracket design, the stress-strain distribution of a particular material can be studied by means of finite element models (FEM). The purpose of this study was to design a basic structure of bracket-archwire configuration and to determine the location of stress-strain distribution. Method: Two 3D FEM of bracket-archwire configurations were designed. The first model was constructed with a stainless steel (SS) bracket having 0.022×0.028-in slot size along with 0.019×0.025-in SS archwire. The second model was designed with the same bracket model having 0.019×0.025-in nickel- titanium (NiTi) archwire. The wire was subjected to +/-0.025N of sliding force. ANSYS software was used to determine the stress-strain patterns at each nodal point. Results: In both the models, irrespective of the change in material properties, stress-strain with respect to bracket was seen to be concentrated at the contact boundary and in the archwire the maximum stress-strain was seen at the loading sites. The centre of the slot surface of the bracket and centre of the wire experienced the least amount of stress-strain values. Conclusion: The principal stress-strain was much below the normal values of the material properties indicating that both the bracket and the archwire can undergo heavy forces without undergoing fracture.