Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vibration modes of tooth and explain the vibration characteristics of tooth. By using the finite element method (FEM) software, the Eigen vibration of 3-D finite element model of maxillary central incisor tooth was analyzed. Crown vibration was dominantly present in the natural modes. In general, tooth vibration was mostly dominated by the first 4 natural modes and the natural frequencies of the tooth studied were 879.65, 1286.76, 1827.21 and 2087.59 Hz, respectively. Corresponding natural mode shapes were as follows: 1^st, the whole tooth vibrates along its axis in crown to root direction; 2^nd, the crown swings mainly in labio-lingual direction; 3^rd, the crown twists about its axis; and 4^th the crown swings mainly in mesio-distal direction. The present data suggest that the modal analysis can be successfully applied in the field of study on the tooth under the loading of masticatory force.

Key words: Tooth, vibration, modal analysis, frequency.