Study of Biomechanical Behavior on Temporomandibular Joint During Jaw Movement Using Reverse Engineering 3D Technology

Several researchers have developed finite element analysis (FEA) models on temporomandibular joints (TMJs); however, few have used it to compare computed tomography model and magnetic resonance image model. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to compare the differences of stress distributions between CT and MRI sources in bilateral TMJ using FEA computer-aided programs. To determine the biomechanical behavior in biomimetic models, the magnitude and location of the stresses should be concerned. Several TMJ models have been studied in previous studies, but no have compared the bilateral mandible models between CT and MRI sources. Six volunteers were selected to reconstructed models for each group. The distortion of geometry between the CT and the MRI for condyle, disc, and articular eminence were analyzed in this study. Results performed that hard tissue of condyle and eminence demonstrated the more precise and smooth geometric models in CT groups than in MRI groups, nevertheless, MRI group performed the disc component, which could not be tracked by CT devices. Results indicated that the stresses of CT groups were smaller than MRI group during jaw movement. The results of this research will provide potential benefits in terms of understanding biomechanical behavior information of the TMJ during jaw movement.