Fem in orthodontics: A review of the palatal expanders clinical investigation

SUMMARY Introduction. The finite element method (FEM) is an engineering resource that allows to obtain the stresses and deformation of complex structures. It is very useful in orthodontics to investigate complex mechanical or results that are achieved with specific appliances. The purpose of the study is to investigate which studies have been produced on expanders with this method. Material and methods. A search was performed using PubMed, as keywords we have included “finite elements orthodontics”, “finite elements orthodontics” and “finite elements method orthodontics” “FEM orthodontics”. The number of articles turned out to be 724. Choosing only the ones published in English with a clear description of the study, a human model and limited to clinical aspects we have come to select 209 articles. 41 of them focused on expanders. Result. FEM allows to ideally compare every type of palatal expanders and evaluate which one is more effective in terms of the results obtained and the stress suffered by the structures involved. Conclusion. FEM, with a valid model, can investigate aspects of palatal ecpansion that are difficult to test with clinical evaluations.