Stress analysis in the mandibular condyle during prolonged clenching: A theoretical approach with the finite element method

Abstract

Parafunctional habits, such as bruxism and prolonged clenching, have been associated with functional overloading in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which may result in internal derangement and osteoarthrosis of the TMJ. In this study, the distributions of stress on the mandibular condylar surface during prolonged clenching were examined with TMJ mathematical models. Finite element models were developed on the basis of magnetic resonance images from two subjects with or without anterior disc displacement of the TMJ. Masticatory muscle forces were used as a loading condition for stress analysis during a 10 min clenching. In the asymptomatic model, the stress values in the anterior area (0.100 MPa) and lateral area (0.074 MPa) were relatively high among the five areas at 10 min. In the middle and posterior areas, stress relaxation occurred during the first 2 min. In contrast, the stress value in the lateral area was markedly lower (0.020 MPa) than in other areas in the symptomatic model at 10 min. The largest stress (0.050 MPa) was located in the posterior area. All except the anterior area revealed an increase in stress during the first 2 min. The present result indicates that the displacement of the disc could affect the stress distribution on the condylar articular surface during prolonged clenching, especially in the posterior area, probably leading to the cartilage breakdown on the condylar articular surface.

Influence of Psychosocial Factors and Habitual Behavior in Temporomandibular Disorder–Related Symptoms in a Working Population in Japan

“…[39] also used morning orofacial jaw muscle fatigue to diagnose SB. It has been shown that mandibular condyle is displaced and TMJ stress is increased by the occlusal force [40-43]. Baba et al .…”

3D reconstruction of TMJ after resection of the cyst and the stress–strain analyses

“…Another benefit of the subtotal replacement is possibility of use before of the end of facial skeletal system growth [6]. The stress-strain analyses of TMJ and TMJP based on several numerical models and methods, namely the finite element method, were studied by several authors [13,15,1,7,9]. For these analyses the special software is also used [12,14].…”

Hydrostatic Compress Force Enhances the Viability and Decreases the Apoptosis of Condylar Chondrocytes through Integrin-FAK-ERK/PI3K Pathway

“…To approach this problem, finite element models were established on the basis of magnetic resonance images from two subjects with or without anterior disc displacement of the TMJ [25,26]. The stress values after a 10-min clenching varied from 20 to 100 kPa according to the different sites of condylar cartilage [25,26]. It was also shown that rabbit chondrocytes subjected to stress ranging from 0 to 200 kPa yielded tissue-engineered cartilage of the best quality [27].…”