Efeito da distância interbraquetes sobre o sistema de forças em alças de retração ortodôntica com geometria delta: estudo numérico experimental

Abstract

The present study tested experimentally and by Finite Element Method the effect of inter-bracket distance (IBD), activation and geometry (independent variables) on the force system (Fx, Fy, Mz) produced by delta springs after activation. The springs were produced with titanium-molybdenum 0.017 x 0.025 in (0,43mm x 0,64mm), and separated in two groups (G1 and G2) with ten springs each one. The springs in group G1 presented angulated legs and in the group G2 rounded legs. Analysis of factorial variance averages caused by three possible variation (inter brackets distance, geometry and activation) sources and the interactions between them. Regression analysis was also performed to obtain the spring rate. Groups G1 and G2 presented force magnitudes which are compatible with the ones mentioned in the literature related to the subject (varying from 81,65gf to 125gf for G1 and from 92,45gf to 133,10gf for G2, at 3.0mm and 4.0mm of activation, respectively for Fx). The vertical Fy forces were 50 gf and 16gf for G1 and G2, at 4.0mm, respectively, and 52,15gf and 16,95 gf for G1 and G2 at 3.0mm of activation, respectively. The spring constants have proved to be within the levels which are appropriate for clinical use, resulting 27,95gf/mm for G1 and 32,09 for G2 groups. The mean moment-to-force ratio (M/F) was M/F=9,2mm at 4,0 mm of activation and 13mm at 3,0mm of activation for G1 group, whereas for G2 the mean values were M/F=9,3mm at 4,0mm of activation and M/F=13mm at 3,0mm. The M/F ratio incresead as the springs deactivated. There was no statistical differences between groups. IBD and geometry does not cause significative influence on force systems resulting from activations, but activation that produced statistical difference on force system (Fx, Fy and Mz).