January 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the stress concentration in simulated periodontal alveolar bone containing healthy teeth with and without attachment loss. Methods: Six 3-D models of a lower central incisor were created simulating the teeth structure, cancellous and cortical bone and periodontal ligament. Each model presented a 1mm increasing distance between cement-enamel junction (CEJ) and alveolar bone crest (ABC) (1 to 6mm). A 100N, 45-degree load was applied to the buccal face of the lower central incisor. The effects of Minimum Principal Stress (MPS) on lamina dura (LD) and ABC were analyzed. Results: The results showed an increase of MPS in the surrounding bone (ABC and LD) due to periodontal attachment loss. The 6mm attachment loss model showed the highest (p<0.001) magnitude in MPS. Each millimeter increase in CEJ-ABC distance generated a 12% pattern of attachment loss and an increase at least of 65.7% for ABC and 33.6% for LD. Conclusion: Under simulated conditions, attachment loss increases stress concentration in the surrounding bone suggesting a partly explanation regarding bone resorption risk for teeth with periodontal attachment loss.