Three-dimensional finite element stress analysis of normal maxillary complex under two different conditions / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of stress distribution in the normal maxillary complex under different conditions and explore the feature of biomechanical reaction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A three-dimensional finite element stress analysis has been used to investigate the characters of stress distribution at open-mouth position and in centric occlusion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under the same load, the stresses of the same region in the normal maxillary complex were distributed unequally. The limits of stress at open-mouth position (8.969 N) were wider than that in centric occlusion (6.497 N).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The stress of the whole maxillary complex in centric occlusion was lower than that at open-mouth position because of the different state of masticatory muscle. This indicated that the effect of muscles needed to be considered in the study of maxillary complex biomechanics.</p>