title: Clenching TMJs-loads increases in partial edentates: a 3D finite element study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study tests the hypothesis of loading-dependence on the temporomandibular joint during clenching on the particular of experimentally partial edentate conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A complete and detailed finite element model of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was used. The closing movement of the mouth was reproduced by contracting the closing muscles of the masticatory system. Electromyography (EMG) data were taken from 10 healthy, dentulate volunteers, both with and without intraoral appliances. The intraoral appliances served to mimic nine partially edentulate (PE) conditions for each volunteer. The EMG data were fed into the finite element model (FEM) for each condition and the loading of the joint was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results obtained show that muscular activity decreases when the contact between teeth disappears. In particular, the numerical results showed that when there is no contact between the posterior teeth an overload of the joints appeared. Moreover, the existence of a unilateral unique molar induced asymmetric overloading in the TMJ disc without posterior contact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During clenching, a uniform distribution of the dental contact along the maxillar arches prevents the TMJ from overloading. In contrast, severe partial edentation seems to induce overloading of the TMJ with severity depending on the type of contact.
authors.affiliation: Group of Structural Mechanics and Materials Modelling, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, María de Luna, 3., E-50018 Zaragoza, Spain. amaya@unizar.es
authors.forename: Amaya Pérez
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: del Palomar
authors.forename: Urbano
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Santana-Penín
authors.forename: María Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mora-Bermúdez
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doblaré
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing