title: Stress distribution on the mandibular condyle and the distraction area in distraction osteogenesis by finite element analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many 3-dimensional (3-D) finite element analysis (FEA) models based on the virtual simulation have been constructed to explore the stress distribution during distraction osteogenesis (DO). The aim of this study is to achieve a better understanding of the biomechanical feature of mandible during DO procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using CT image data of a goat mandible that already has been elongated for 10 mm, an anatomical 3D model was reconstructed. This model was imported into MSC.Patran for monitoring mechanical parameters, including Von-Mises stress, max-principal stress, and mix-principal stress, on the distraction area and the mandibular condyle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The computed result showed special stress distribution on 9 slopes of the condyle and 3 cross-sections of the distraction area. From 0.8 MP to 17.2 MP, a dramatic increase in Von-Mises stress was discovered on the right side of the condyle compared with the left side. From 22.6 MP to 0.9 MP on the distraction area, Von-Mises stress decreased from the central zone to the peripheral zone gradually.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the process of mandibular DO, the special stress distribution may be an important factor on the physiopathological change of the mandibular condyle and the generation of new bone in the distraction area. The correlations between the value of the stress and physiopathological changes during DO process should be clarified in future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Dong Wei
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006041:Goats; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface