Finite element analysis of the influence of perioral force on alveolar ridge healing in areas missing maxillary anterior teeth

Objective To study the biomechanical changes induced by differences in perioral force in patients with missing anterior maxillary teeth at rest via finite element analysis (FEA). Methods Using conical beam CT (CBCT) images of a healthy person, models of the complete maxillary anterior dental region (Model A) and maxillary anterior dental region with a missing left maxillary central incisor (Model B) were constructed. The labial and palatine alveolar bone and tooth surface of the bilateral incisor and cusp regions were selected as the application sites, the resting perioral force was applied perpendicular to the tissue surface, and the changes in maxillary stress and displacement after the perioral force was simulated were analyzed. Results Compared with those of Model A, the labial alveolar bone in the missing tooth area of Model B exhibited obvious stress concentration and displacement under the action of perioral force. Conclusion At rest, perioral force, especially the soft tissue pressure of the lip, has an adverse effect on alveolar ridge healing in areas with missing maxillary anterior teeth.