Experimental and finite element study of a human mandible

Knowledge of the complex biomechanical behaviour of the human mandible is of great importance in various clinical situations. Various approaches can be used to evaluate the physical behaviour of bony specimens. In the course of this study, we investigated mandibular deformation under mechanical loads in an experimental setting and compared them with results derived from finite element analysis (FEA). A special apparatus was developed to apply various forces under defined conditions on an explanted human mandible in vitro. Strains on the surface of the mandible were measured with strain gauges and subsequently a voxel based finite element mesh was generated. Strain patterns of the mandible were calculated in the FE analysis and matched with the experimental data. Comparing the numerical with the experimental data, we found a good correlation between in vitro measurements and mathematical modelling (correlation coefficient = 0.992). Then the FE model was used to evaluate mandibular biomechanics relative to aspects of load transfer, stress distribution and displacements. It is concluded that the applied procedure of generating the FE model is a valid and accurate, non-invasive method to predict different parameters of the complex biomechanical behaviour of human mandibles. (C) 2000 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.