Comillas Pontifical University. Madrid (Spain)
October 23rd, 2025
Summary:
This doctoral thesis explores the development of dental biomechanical models (DBMs), crucial tools for studying how teeth and their supporting tissues respond to clinical loads. Dentistry has evolved from generalized treatments toward personalized approaches, which requires more precise testing methods. Traditional DBMs often oversimplify dental occlusion, focusing on isolated teeth and applying purely vertical loads without accounting for individual differences or the role of adjacent structures.
The research identifies four key variables that strongly influence the accuracy of DBMs: (1) the mechanical properties of dental tissues, (2) the presence of adjacent teeth and contacts, (3) the angle of occlusal loads, and (4) the methodology used to apply those loads. To address these factors, the study proposes two models: an experimental DBM, validated with a mechanical tool capable of simulating functional and bruxist loads, and a simulated DBM developed using finite element methods.
Results highlight that DBMs are more reliable when they preserve the entire dental complex, use antagonistic teeth for load application, and consider realistic occlusion angles and proximal contacts. Conversely, oversimplified models risk misrepresenting clinical outcomes, which has implications for both dentists—who may overestimate or underestimate treatment effectiveness—and the dental industry, which relies on accurate models for designing materials and devices.
The thesis concludes that combining biofidelity with manageable costs is possible and provides a foundation for future research. Proposed directions include studying the long-term effects of parafunctional loads, comparing minimally invasive versus traditional treatments, and refining failure prediction methods.
Descriptors: Machine design, Simulation, Bio-mechanics, Technological Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and technology
Keywords: biomechanical model, biomechanics, dental tissue, experimental test, Finite Element Analysis, functional load, structural response.
Citation:
S. Dorado, "Influence of Biomimetic Dental Biomechanical Models in the Structural Response of Teeth", PhD. dissertation, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain, 2025.
