title: Finite element analysis of the human mastication cycle.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to propose a biomechanical model that could serve as a tool to overcome some difficulties encountered in experimental studies of the mandible. One of these difficulties is the inaccessibility of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the lateral pterygoid muscle. The focus of this model is to study the stresses in the joint and the influence of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the mandible movement. A finite element model of the mandible, including the TMJ, was built to simulate the process of unilateral mastication. Different activation patterns of the left and right pterygoid muscles were tried. The maximum stresses in the articular disc and in the whole mandible during a complete mastication cycle were reached during the instant of centric occlusion. The simulations show a great influence of the coordination of the right and left lateral pterygoid muscles on the movement of the jaw during mastication. An asynchronous activation of the lateral pterygoid muscles is needed to achieve a normal movement of the jaw during mastication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, E-41092 Seville, Spain. Electronic address: mcommisso1@us.es.
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Commisso
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, E-41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Reina
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, E-41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ojeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, E-41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayo
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000502:physiology; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology; D008409:Mastication; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D009068:Movement; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Articular disc; FE simulation; Lateral pterygoid; Mastication; Quasi-linear viscoelastic model; Temporomandibular joint