The Study on Mechanism of Mandibular Fracture

1997 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 08672282
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: IIZUKA Yoshio Tohoku University, School of Dentistry, Research Associate, 医学部, 助手 (30133060)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HAYASHI Kazuo Tohoku University, Institute of Fluid Science, Professor, 流体科学研究所, 教授 (30111256)
• Project Period (FY): 1996 – 1997
• Keywords: Mandible / Fracture / Stress Analysis

Research Abstract

Three dimensional stress analysis by finite element method (FEM) was performed to clarify the mechanism of mandibular fractures. We applied the finite element model to various stress situations. Stress distribution was clearly changed by the direction and position of applied loads, and by the condition of constraint. There was invariably stress concentration to the area of load applied. Except for the area of load applied, the tendency of stress concentration was demonstrated over the area where clinically reported fractures highly caused, i. e. condylar process.
The finite element model were divided into outside and inside part of element groups and the following output points of the stress were selected : (a) outside surface center of element, (b) center of element, (c) inside surface center of element. It was revealed that stress showed remarkable difference among outside, inner and inside part, being dependent on the direction and position of loads and on the constraint site.
The situations of the force applied to the mandible effect the type and localisation of the fracture and it is possible to estimate the initial process of fractures from difference of stress concentration, except for the area of load application, shown in outside and inside of the other area.