Finite Element Analysis in Dentistry

Objective: analyze sources of scientific and medical information regarding the possibilities of applying the finite element method in the field of research dentistry, focusing on disciplines full of controversial issues from the point of view of biomechanics, namely, implantology and prosthetic dentistry. Material and methods. A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database with search queries “FEA in dentistry,” “finite element analysis in dentistry,” and the keywords FEA, finite element analysis, and dentistry. From the retrieved selection, 11 articles that met the study’s objective were chosen, and an additional four articles were manually added to elucidate the fundamental topic better. Results. The analyzed literature demonstrates that finite element analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating and studying processes that would be impossible to investigate clinically. This method allows for the replication of an unlimited number of experiments with complete control over the input conditions. Conclusions. Finite element analysis remains one of the key tools for studying biomechanics in dentistry. Further research and improvements to this method could optimize personalized and highly efficient dentistry processes.