IN VITRO INVESTIGATION OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT HEALTH: AN ADVANCED 3D FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT MODALITIES ON TMJ DISORDER PATHOGENESIS AND MECHANICAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION
Abstract
Background: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can be influenced by orthodontic treatments. Understanding how different orthodontic modalities affect TMJ health is essential for improving treatment outcomes.
Objective
This study aims to evaluate the impact of different orthodontic appliances on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by utilizing advanced 3D finite element modeling to analyze stress distribution under various treatment scenarios.
Materials and Methods
An in vitro approach was employed, using high-resolution 3D Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans from a Siemens SOMATOM Perspective scanner to create a detailed TMJ model. Orthodontic appliances tested included fixed braces, clear aligners, and functional appliances like the Twin Block and Herbst. Finite element simulations were performed using ANSYS Workbench 2024 to assess stress distribution across the TMJ. The study focused on simulating orthodontic forces and analyzing stress concentrations and patterns for each appliance type.
Results
The simulations revealed that fixed appliances generated the highest localized stress, particularly around the brackets and archwires. Clear aligners provided a more uniform stress distribution with lower localized stress. Functional appliances, such as the Twin Block and Herbst, showed elevated stress levels, with the Herbst appliance inducing the highest overall stress. These findings indicate that clear aligners may be associated with a lower risk of TMJ stress compared to fixed and functional appliances.
Conclusion
The study highlights significant differences in stress distribution among various orthodontic appliances. Clear aligners tend to offer a more balanced stress profile, potentially reducing the risk of TMJ disorders. In contrast, fixed and functional appliances may exert more localized forces, necessitating careful consideration in their application to mitigate adverse effects on TMJ health.
