**Abstract**

Finite Element Analysis or Finite Element Method is based on the principle of dividing a structure into a finite number of small elements. It is a sophisticated engineering tool, which has been used extensively in design optimization and structural analysis first originated in the aerospace industry to study stress in complex airframe structures. This method is a way of getting a numerical solution to a specific problem, used to analyze stresses and strains in complex mechanical systems. It enables the mathematical conversion and analysis of mechanical properties of a geometric object with wide range of applications in dental and oral health science. It is useful for specifying predominantly the mechanical aspects of biomaterials and human tissues that cannot be measured *in vivo*. It has various advantages, can be compared with studies on real models, and the tests are repeatable, with accuracy and without ethical concerns.

**Keywords:** finite element analysis, finite element method, stress, dentistry, implants

#### **1. Introduction**

Dentistry is the fastest growing branch of medical field, deals with the study of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. Although primarily associated with teeth, the field of dentistry is not limited to teeth but includes other aspects of the craniofacial complex including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and other supporting, muscular, lymphatic, nervous, vascular, and anatomical structures.

Virtually, every phenomenon in nature; whether biological, geological or mechanical, can be described with the aid of law of physics, in terms of algebraic, differential or integral equations relating various quantities of interest. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or Finite Element Method (FEM) is a computer-based numerical method to analyze the structure based on the principle of dividing a structure into a finite number of small elements that are connected with each other at the corner points called nodes. For each element, its mechanical behaviour can be written as the function of displacement of the nodes. These nodes when subjected to certain loading conditions results in behaviour of the model similar to the structure it represents. When a computer analysis is performed on this, a system of simultaneous equations can be solved to relate all forces and displacement of the nodes. From this, stress and strain can be established in each element and the whole structure can be evaluated [1].

There were many articles published before on FEA and their uses, this chapter mainly focus on the brief application of FEA in dentistry, apart from the historical perspective, planning of analysis, workflow of FE study, merits, shortcomings, and future of FEA.
