A downloadable meshed human canine tooth model with PDL and bone for finite element simulations.

Objective: The aim of this study is to relieve scientists from the complex and time-consuming task of model generation by providing a model of a canine tooth and its periradicular tissues for Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations.

Methods: This was achieved with diverse commercial software, based on a micro-computed tomography of the specimen.

Results: The Finite Element (FE) Model consists of enamel, dentin, nerve (innervation), periodontal ligament (PDL), and the surrounding cortical bone with trabecular structure. The area and volume meshes are of a very high quality in order to represent the model in a detailed form. Material properties are to be set individually by every user. The tooth model is provided for Abaqus, Ansys, HyperMesh, Nastran and as STL files, in an ASCII format for free download.

Significance: This can help reduce the cost and effort of generating a tooth model for some research institutions, and may encourage other research groups to provide their high quality models for other researchers. By providing FE models, research results, especially FEM simulations, could be easily verified by others.