Theoretical Considerations and a Mathematical Model for the Analysis of the Biomechanical Response of Human Keratinized Oral Mucosa

Abstract

Removable complete and partial dentures are supported by the residual alveolar ridges consisting of mucosa, submucosa, periosteum, and bone. An understanding of the biomechanical behavior of the oral mucosa is essential in order to improve the denture-bearing foundations for complete and partially edentulous patients. The purpose of this paper was to examine the biomechanical behavior of the soft tissues supporting a removable denture and develop a model for that reason. Keratinized oral mucosa blocks with their underlying bone were harvested from the maxillary palatal area adjacent to the edentulous ridges of a cadaver. The compressive response of the oral mucosa was tested by using atomic force microscopy. The specimens were first scanned in order their topography to be obtained. The mechanical properties of the specimens were tested using a single crystal silicon pyramidal tip, which traversed toward the keratinized oral mucosa specimens. Loading-unloading cycles were registered and four mathematical models were tested using MATLAB to note which one approximates the force-displacement curve as close as possible: a. spherical, b. conical, c. third order polynomial, d. Murphy (fourth order polynomial, non-linear Hertzian based). The third order polynomial model showed the best accuracy in representing the force-displacement data of the tested specimens. A model was developed in order to analyze the biomechanical behavior of the human oral keratinized mucosa and obtain information about its mechanical properties.

Mechanical properties of human oral mucosa tissues are site dependent: A combined biomechanical, histological and ultrastructural approach

“…The biomechanical response of the oral mucosa to the occlusal loads is also not clear. Tsaira et al (2016) hypothesised that under tension, the wavy configuration of the fibres will be responsible for the load transmission from the tooth to the neighbouring alveolar bone via a gradual unfolding of these fibres (Tsaira et al, 2016). This hypothesis was evident in the findings of the present study as under tension, the gingiva tissues showed the highest tensile strength and elastic modulus.…”

Finite element analysis of stress in oral mucosa and titanium mesh interface

“…Therefore, in this study, we have established a 5 mm keratinized mucosa covering the lingual side of alveolar crest with titanium mesh installation and measured the influence of keratinized mucosa by setting 5 mm keratinized mucosa in buccal side of alveolar crest for KM cases and 0 mm keratinized mucosa in buccal side of alveolar crest for LM cases. The physical properties of keratinized mucosa and non-keratinized mucosa was based on the measure of the thiel-embalmed cadavers provided by former research [ 22 , 23 , 35 ]. When the loading came from alveolar ridge, the forces was directly applied on keratinized mucosa in KM case or non-keratinized mucosa in LM case.…”

Establishment of a Modulus Measurement Method in Denture-supporting Tissue using an Intraoral Simultaneous Measurement System and Finite Element Analysis

“…1 When providing dental prosthetic treatment to elderly patients, it is extremely important to understand the age-induced physiological and morphological changes in the oral mucosa. In this regard, there have been various studies on the thickness of denture-supporting tissue, [2][3][4] viscoelasticity, [5][6][7] and pain. [8][9][10][11][12] Thus, a system was invented that uses a strain gauge attached to an ultrasonic thickness gauge to simultaneously measure changes in oral mucosa thickness and load until pain was felt by a patient at chairside.…”