TITLE:
A Study of the Mechanical Characteristics of a Mandibular Parasymphyseal Fracture with Internal Fixation Device Subject to Variable Bite Forces: Finite Element Analysis
AUTHORS:
Victor Caraveo, Scott Lovald, Tariq Khraishi
KEYWORDS:
Mandible, Mandibular Fracture, Internal Fixation, Finite-Element Modeling, Bite Forces
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.9 No.4,
April
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: In recent times, research into mandibular fracture has gained momentum from advances in scanning techniques, software/algorithm developments and improvements, and numerical structural modeling using the finite-element method (FEM). In this work, the FEM is used to model a mandibular fracture (using an inhomogeneous and orthotropic jaw model) simulating the effect of different bite tasks/forces on the stability of the fixated fracture. Specifically, bilateral and unilateral clenches (using muscle data) were studied using a low-profile 3D 4 × 2 hole mini-plate deployed for fracture fixation. Here, the mandible bone was treated as orthotropic and spatially inhomogeneous. Although the results of stress and displacement analyses, for this fixation hardware, indicate sufficient fixation under normal biting conditions, the results show that the unilateral and ipsilateral bites develop, in general, the highest stresses or displacements. Such results can guide post-surgery recommendation on bite behavior.