Validation of an artificial tooth-periodontal ligament-bone complex for in-vitro orthodontic research

Abstract

Orthodontics research investigates the methods in which tooth displacement may be directed in the tooth-periodontal ligament-bone-complex. In the biological environment, the periodontal ligament is the soft tissue responsible for the absorption of forces on teeth and has a direct connection to tooth mobility. Current research is limited in that it must be conducted in an in-vivo capacity. A major advancement in orthodontics research would be a testing method that allows for the development and analysis of orthodontic devices without a patient present. This study outlines the development and testing methods for the validation of an artificial periodontal ligament to be used in conjunction with an artificial-tooth-periodontal ligament-bone-complex. The study focused on finding the criteria in which consistent results were produced, the mixture that best simulated the human periodontal ligament’s mechanical behavior, and the robustness of the artificial-periodontal ligament-bone-complex. This study utilized a geometrically accurate denture mold filled with varying compositions of an artificial periodontal ligament for testing. Experiments focused on findings of viscoelasticity, curing times, and instantaneous responses of the teeth under direct orthodontic loading, as well as the changes in response from different teeth within the denture mold. Tests confirmed that a mixture composed of 50% Gasket Sealant No. 2 and 50% RTV 587 Silicone produced a substance that could adequately serve as an artificial periodontal ligament.