Anatomically Based Modelling of the Human Skull and Jaw

Abstract

We present here an anatomically based model of the human masticatory system that provides a framework for simulating the complex chewing process. The initial motivation for creating this model was the desire to have a computational model of the human jaw that can be used to simulate the action of simple bites, and to calculate the stresses and forces on the teeth that are involved. The model created also provides a platform that can be used to investigate other features of the masticatory system. To construct this global model, individual models of the bones of the skull and jaw were created from generic data sets. Geometric models of the muscles of mastication were also created and attached to the appropriate bones. To complete this initial model, representations of the crowns of the teeth were created and a basic model of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was included. The finite element method was used to solve for the stresses and strains created by the loading conditions during a clenching simulation involving the mandible bone. The model presented here is also discussed in relation to a model of the entire musculo-skeletal system being developed as part of the Physiome Project.

The modular endoprosthesis for mandibular body replacement. Part 2: Finite element analysis of endoprosthesis reconstruction of the mandible

“…A wide variation of muscle forces during jaw clenching was found within the literature (Ramos et al, 2010;Van Essen et al, 2005;Tanaka et al, 1994;Iwasaki et al, 2003). For this analysis, loads used by Van Essen et al (2005) were adopted but modified to only include the major muscles described above.…”

Three-dimensional finite element modelling of muscle forces during mastication

“…Geometry (and orientation of the coordinate system) of the muscle of mastication and bone (viewed from the back to highlight all muscles) as presented invan Essen et al (2005). The black lines on top of the muscle geometries (red) represent the element boundaries of the cubic Hermite finite element discretisation used for the numerical simulations.…”

Automatically Generating Subject-specific Functional Tooth Surfaces Using Virtual Mastication

“…At a voxel volume of 1.41 9 10 À3 mm 3 , the total volumetric error decreases by 13% and 17% after the 1st and 2nd chewing cycles, respectively, and shows no decrease after the 3rd, 4th, and 5th cycles. Furthermore, a decrease in resolution results in a decrease in the average volumetric error, where refining the voxel volume from 5.79 to 0.724, 0.090, 0.0113, and 0.00141 mm 3 gives an average V (t) reduction of 40, 31, 7, and 3%, respectively.…”