ABSTRACT
In this work the support structures of an adhesive dental bridge are analysed. The objective of this article is to test if the abutments teeth can support the resin-bonded bridge, used in dental reconstructions. The study was conducted on a 3D model of a part of maxilla where a tooth was missing. This model was developed through CT scans of an unknown patient. It was used the Finite Element Method (FEM) to study and analyse the results obtained. FEM is a technique that gives the solution of a complex mechanical problem through the discretization of the problem domain into multiple subdomains, called finite elements. Therefore, a complex problem is simplified by splinting the problem domain into smaller and simpler domains. The simple equations that model these finite elements are then assembled into a larger system of equations that models the entire problem. In the analysed case, the stresses measured were not sufficient to damage the abutments teeth that are responsible for supporting the bridge. The resin-bonded bridges appear to be a valid method of dental reconstruction since it does not damage the original teeth of the patient.
