title: Mechanical work during stress-field translation in the human TMJ.
abstract: The pathomechanics of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may involve fatigue produced by mechanical work on the articulating tissues. This study tested the hypotheses that mechanical work in the TMJ (i) varies with the type of mandibular activity, and (ii) is evenly distributed over TMJ surfaces. Ten healthy human participants were recorded with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and jaw tracking. The data were used to reconstruct and animate TMJ activity. Aspect ratios, instantaneous velocities, and distances of stress-fields translation were used to calculate work (mJ). The results were analyzed by least-squares polynomial regression and ANOVA. Work magnitudes were related to peak velocity (R(2) = 0.92) and distance of stress-field translation (R(2) = 0.83), and were distributed over the joint surfaces (p < 0.03). During mandibular laterotrusion, average mechanical work was 1.5 times greater in the contralateral joint. Peak magnitudes of work (> 3000 mJ) were 4 times that previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Masticatory Disorders and Complete Dentures, Center for Oral Medicine, Dental and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Zürich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8028 Zürich, Switzerland. luigi@zui.unizh.ch
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chiaravalloti
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nickel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000502:physiology; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology