title: A finite element study on the effects of midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis on the mandible and articular disc.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the biomechanical effect of midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis with three types of distractors on the mandible and articular disc using a three-dimensional finite element model analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A virtual model of the mandible was produced from computed tomography scan images of a healthy 27-year-old man. On the finite element model of the mandible, expansion of the bone-borne, tooth-borne, and hybrid type distractors were simulated with the jaw-closing muscles. The displacement and stress distribution of the mandible and articular disc were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the bone-borne appliance the alveolar process area was displaced more than the basal bone area. The tooth-borne appliance displaced the mandibular body in a parallel manner and showed high level of the von Mises stress in the alveolar process and the ramal region as well as in the condylar neck area. The hybrid type showed medium amount of displacement and stress distribution compared with the bone-borne and tooth-borne type. At the articular disc the compressive stress was concentrated in the anteromedial and posterolateral area, and it was highest in the tooth-borne distractor, followed by hybrid appliance and bone-borne appliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tooth-borne distractor produced more parallel bony widening in the midsymphyseal area and larger expansion in the molar region; however, it induced higher stress concentration on the articular disc than the hybrid appliance and bone-borne appliance. Whether any long-term side effects on the temporomandibular joint are anticipated, especially in tooth-borne distractor, remains to be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bong-Kuen
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Dong-Soon
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Insan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Yang-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Paul-Georg
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jost-Brinkmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D016896:Treatment Outcome