Model Calculations for Three Dimensional Heat Conduction in a Real Tooth

摘要

To generate the three-dimensional grid net for a real tooth, an extracted tooth was grinded in steps of some millimetres from the top to the root. After each grinding step the displayed cross section was documented by photography showing clearly all transition lines between enamel, dentin and the pulp. The photographic reprints were used to determine the x-y-z-coordinates of selected points to represent the transition lines. In a fairly large-scale procedure these points were combined to a three dimensional net. FEM calculations were carried out to solve the heat equation numerically for the boundary condition that an IR laser pulse hits the surface for laser ablation. Since all the information of the various types of tissue is included in this model, the results give a huge variety of information. For example: the outer shell of enamel could be displayed exclusively to show its inner surface and which temperature distribution as well as mechanical stress got build up there.