THE EFFECT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR CONTACT ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR SIMULATION OF HUMAN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT FORCES / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To analyze the effect of the intraarticufar contact of the temporomandibular joint ( TMJ ) on three dimensional nonlinear simulation of human TMJ forces in order to simulate the distribution and transfer of TMJ forces more realistically and logically. Materials and Methods: Combining helical CT scanning technology with three dimensional finite element method, together with Auto CAD software, three dimensional nonlinear finite element models were developed in vivo for comparison with the changes in the stress within the TMJ in different contact conditions. Results: The stresses on the surfaces of articular disc and condyle in the finite element models with contact elements between the disc and condyle were mainly distributed on their anterior and medial regions, and the stresses on other regions were relatively smaller. But, the stresses of those models without contact element were mainly distributed on their midposterior and medial aspacts. Moreover, the stress values were higher. When the friction coefficient was in the range of 0 0.15, the distribution extent and magnitude of the contact stress between the disc and the condyle in the TMJ were completely same. Meanwhile, the surface stresses on the disc and the condyle were nearly coincident in three ways of disc condyle contact, which were no friction contact, rigid contact and elastic contact. Conclusion: In the issue of disc condyle contact of simulating TMJ forces with three dimensional nonlinear method, the stress distribution in the joint with complete contact relationship between the disc and the condyle conforms more to the physiological condition. The lower friction coefficient ( 0 0.15 ) in the TMJ and various contact patterns between the disc and condyle had no evident influence on the stress distribution in the TMJ. Three dimensional nonlinear analysis for the forces in the TMJ might be more realistic and reasonable because of contact simulation among various structures within the TMJ.