Impact of the lower third molar presence and position on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle: A Three-dimensional finite element study.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the influences of the presence and position of a lower third molar (M3) on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle, using finite element analysis. From computed tomographic scans of a human mandible with normally erupted M3, two additional virtual models were generated: a mandibular model with partially impacted M3 and a model without M3. Two cases of impact were considered: a frontal and a lateral blow. The results are based on the chromatic analysis of the distributed von Mises and principal stresses, and calculation of their failure indices. In the frontal blow, the angle region showed the highest stress in the case with partially impacted M3, and the condylar region in the case without M3. Compressive stresses were dominant but caused no failure. Tensile stresses were recorded in the retromolar areas, but caused failure only in the case with partially impacted M3. In the lateral blow, the stress concentrated at the point of impact, in the ipsilateral and contralateral angle and condylar regions. The highest stresses were recorded in the case with partially impacted M3. Tensile stresses caused the failure on the ipsilateral side, whereas compressive stresses on the contralateral side.
Center for Radiological Diagnostics, School of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Rankeova 6, Serbia; Laborotory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: svetlanatijanic@gmail.com.
Svetlana
S
Antic
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; Bioengineering Research and Development Center Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia. Electronic address: arso_kg@yahoo.com.
Arso M
AM
Vukicevic
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; Bioengineering Research and Development Center Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia. Electronic address: milasko@ept.kg.ac.rs.
Marko
M
Milasinovic
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; Bioengineering Research and Development Center Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia. Electronic address: isaveljic@kg.ac.rs.
Igor
I
Saveljic
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia. Electronic address: gjovicic.kg.ac.rs@gmail.com.
Gordana
G
Jovicic
Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; Bioengineering Research and Development Center Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia. Electronic address: fica@kg.ac.rs.
Nenad
N
Filipovic
Center for Radiological Diagnostics, School of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Rankeova 6, Serbia; Laborotory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: zrakoc@yahoo.com.
Zoran
Z
Rakocevic
Laborotory for Anthropology, Institute of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: marijadjuric5@gmail.com.
Marija
M
Djuric
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D000071538:Cortical Bone / Q000503:physiopathology; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
Biomechanics; Finite element; Fracture; Lower third molar; Mandible