Personalized Biomechanical Analysis of the Mandible Teeth Behavior in the Treatment of Masticatory Muscles Parafunction

Correlation between Depth of the Curve of Spee and Some Specific Malocclusion Characteristics in a Population from Sibiu County, Romania-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Curve of Spee (COS) depth and malocclusion characteristics in a population from Sibiu County, Romania. The research sought to understand how the COS's anatomical dimensions correlate with different classes of malocclusion and the position of the frontal teeth. Methods: A total of 265 participants from the Dentistry Ambulatory of the Military Hospital of Sibiu were included in this study. It employed digital intraoral scanning technology to measure the COS, overjet, and overbite, with malocclusion classification. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were conducted to examine the relationships between COS depth, frontal teeth position, and malocclusion characteristics. Results: The average COS depth measured was 1.0564 mm, presenting variability when compared to existing literature. Most of the study participants had Class I malocclusion. A significant positive correlation between COS depth and overjet was identified, with no notable gender-based differences in these occlusal parameters. Conclusions: The findings affirm the integral role of COS in occlusal dynamics and malocclusion diagnosis. The COS measurement of a mean of 1.0564 mm, when compared to other results emphasizes the differences in occlusal curvature among various populations. The results contribute to a refined understanding of occlusal relationships, supporting the need for personalized orthodontic and prosthetic treatments based on precise anatomical measurements.

Stress Concentration of Hybrid Occlusal Splint-Mouthguard during a Simulated Maxillofacial Traumatic Impact: 3D-FEA

Mouthguards (MG) are protective devices that can reduce the risks of facial trauma. However, many athletes do not use them. Additionally, MG wear with coincidental parafunctional activity has not been considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution as a consequence of a direct impact comparing a conventional MG with a novel hybrid appliance (HMG). Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, a human skull was modeled with the teeth inserted into their respective alveolus. The models were divided according to the MG type (conventional or hybrid). The geometries were exported to the computer-aided engineering (CAE) software and the materials were considered isotropic. Fixation was defined at the base of the maxilla. The load was applied using a hockey puck. The total deformation (mm) and the von Mises stress (MPa) results were obtained for the MGs (conventional and hybrid), upper teeth, lower teeth, and maxillary bone. Despite the presence of an MG, it is still possible to observe generated stress in all structures. However, the hybrid design was more efficient than the conventional design in reducing the displacement during the impact and consequently the stress on the upper teeth, lower teeth, and maxillary bone. Higher stress magnitude was more concentrated at the inner portion of the hybrid design than the conventional device. The HMG appliance decreased the stress concentration in the teeth and in the bone, limiting the areas susceptible to injuries to the regions directly impacted by the hockey puck. Although the novel HMG may mitigate injury, some stress will still result, and any possible injury should be evaluated by a dental professional.

[Experimental design of the lower jaw functional loading for implant-supported restoration in unfavorable clinical conditions]

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Was to create a finite element design to evaluate the masticatory stress distribution on the full fixed prosthesis with three supporting implants and the mandibular bone in the conditions most closely resembling the real ones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The geometric design was created with the results of a CBCT of a real patient. The transfer of the DICOM into STL format was carried out in the Mimics Medical 21 program, in which the author's splinting device for the implant was designed. The actual thicknesses of the patient's compact and cancellous bone layers were measured with Romexis ver. 4.5.1. Scanning of the artificial dentition was performed with the iTero Element 2 Version 1.7 which created an object in STL format. Design was performed in the package for finite element analysis Ansys 19.3. Tetrahedral elements of the second order were used for calculation. The structural elements were connected in the model by a rigid «Bonded» contact.

RESULTS

A finite element model has been created for the experimental load design on the lower jaw for immediate implant restoration with few supports in combination with a device for stabilizing the implant in unfavorable clinical conditions. It is shown that the designed finite element model takes into account the biomechanics of the prosthesis with few supports. When calculating, the entire model was fixed to the mandibular process at its base, and was loaded with a force of 500 N, distributed over the teeth. The values of the maximum stresses obtained in the elements were 51.8 MPa for the compact layer and 245 MPa for titanium elements.

CONCLUSION

Thus, we created personalized geometric and finite element models for calculating the distribution of functional load on a long full fixed implant-supported prosthesis with few artificial supports, which makes the experimental results more accurate and correct.

Biomechanical Behavior Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Occlusal Splint-Mouthguard for Contact Sports: 3D-FEA

Background: Orofacial injuries are common occurrences during contact sports activities. However, there is an absence of data regarding the performance of hybrid occlusal splint mouthguards (HMG), especially during compressive loading. This study amid to evaluate the biomechanical effects of wearing a conventional custom mouthguard (MG) or the HMG on the teeth, bone, and the device itself. Methods: To evaluate the total deformation and stress concentration, a skull model was selected and duplicated to receive two different designs of mouthguard device: one model received a MG with 4-mm thickness and the other received a novel HMG with the same thickness. Both models were subdivided into finite elements. The frictionless contacts were used, and a nonlinear analysis was performed simulating the compressive loading in occlusion. Results: The results were presented in von-Mises stress maps (MPa) and total deformation (mm). A higher stress concentration in teeth was observed for the model with the conventional MG, while the HMG design displayed a promising mechanical response with lower stress magnitude. The HMG design displayed a higher magnitude of stress on its occlusal portion (7.05 MPa) than the MG design (6.19 MPa). Conclusion: The hybrid mouthguard (HMG) reduced (1) jaw displacement during chewing and (2) the generated stresses in maxillary and mandibular teeth.