Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM
Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to generate 3-dimensional models of a human mandible with impacted third molars. The aim was to analyze the effects of removing various amounts of bone around an impacted mandibular third molar and to predict the possibility of iatrogenic fracture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data were acquired from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of a patient using numerically calculated mechanical parameters. Virtual surgery was then performed on the mandibular models, and standardized chewing forces were applied to the resulting simulations.
RESULTS
The modelling showed that the highest stress during normal clenching occurred if the surgical procedure involved the external oblique ridge. The peak stress occurred at the site of removal of the third molar, during contralateral loading of the mandible.
DISCUSSION
Use of CBCT allowed production of high-quality models of an individual patient and simulation of various surgical scenarios. FEA identified the accumulation of stress and strain at specific parts of the mandible and predicted the responses of bone to mechanical activity. FEA could prove useful to dental practitioners in the future to predict the likelihood of iatrogenic fracture of the jaws after surgical removal of mandibular bone, such as occurs when the third molar is removed. This may allow dentists to change their approach to tooth removal in certain cases.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Szucs A, Bujtár P, Sándor GK, Barabás J

Institution

Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery and dentistry, faculty of dentistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Source

Journal (Canadian Dental Association) 76: 2010 pg a72

MeSH

Biomechanics
Bite Force
Bone Density
Computer Simulation
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Elastic Modulus
Female
Finite Element Analysis
Forecasting
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Mandible
Mandibular Fractures
Models, Anatomic
Models, Biological
Molar, Third
Osteotomy
Patient Care Planning
Radiography, Panoramic
Stress, Mechanical
Tooth, Impacted
User-Computer Interface
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

20579440