title: Finite element analysis of three patterns of internal fixation of fractures of the mandibular condyle.
abstract: The most stable pattern of internal fixation for fractures of the mandibular condyle is a matter for ongoing discussion. In this study we investigated the stability of three commonly used patterns of plate fixation, and constructed finite element models of a simulated mandibular condylar fracture. The completed models were heterogeneous in the distribution of bony material properties, contained about 1.2 million elements, and incorporated simulated jaw-adducting musculature. Models were run assuming linear elasticity and isotropic material properties for bone. This model was considerably larger and more complex than previous finite element models that have been used to analyse the biomechanical behaviour of differing plating techniques. The use of two parallel 2.0 titanium miniplates gave a more stable configuration with lower mean element stresses and displacements over the use of a single miniplate. In addition, a parallel orientation of two miniplates resulted in lower stresses and displacements than did the use of two miniplates in an offset pattern. The use of two parallel titanium plates resulted in a superior biomechanical result as defined by mean element stresses and relative movement between the fractured fragments in these finite element models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. dr.peteraquilina@gmail.com
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aquilina
authors.forename: Uphar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chamoli
authors.forename: William C H
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wroe
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001732:Bite Force; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004548:Elasticity; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium