Maxillary expansion treatment using bone anchors: development and validation of a 3D finite element model.
OBJECTIVE
Develop a finite element (FE) model of a skull to perform biomechanical studies of maxillary expansion using bone anchors (BA).


METHODS
A skull model was developed and assigned material properties based on Hounsfield unit (HU) values of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) images. A 3 mm diameter cylindrical BA was modelled and inserted in the palatal bone. A 4 mm transverse displacement was applied on the anchor. An evaluation on the effect on local stresses of BA implantation inclination angle was performed.


RESULTS
Proper displacement results and strain-stress trends for the expansion process were present. Stress distribution patterns were similar as reported in the literature. No significant difference between BA inclination angles was found.


CONCLUSIONS
This work leads to a better understanding and prediction of craniofacial and maxillary bone remodelling during ME with BA treatments and is a first step towards the development of patient specific treatments.
Fang
Y
Y
Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. yif@ualberta.ca
Lagravère
M O
MO
Carey
J P R
JP
Major
P W
PW
Toogood
R R
RR
D003198:Computer Simulation; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D053441:Suture Anchors