The effect of velocity of loading on the biomechanical responses of the periodontal ligament in transverse sections of the rat molar in vitro.

Stress-strain relations of this ligament in transverse sections of the mandibular first molar were examined over a wide range of velocities of loading from 1 to 10(4) mm/24 h. With increasing velocities, the maximum shear stress, tangent modulus and failure strain-energy density increased but the maximum shear strain decreased. The mechanical responses at the highest velocity for the molar ligament were compared with those previously found for the incisor ligament. Mechanical strength, stiffness and toughness were greater for the molar than for the incisor ligament; the molar ligament therefore has more extensible fibres or a different fibre arrangement. Comparison of the mechanical responses at the slowest velocity suggests that, though the stress level was greatly reduced (presumably because of stress relaxation), the fibre components of the molar ligament still reacted at this velocity. It is also suggested that the differences in the ratios of the mechanical measures in 10(4)-1 mm/24 h between the two types of teeth are due partly to their different periodontal fibre architectures.