Stress and deformation analysis of the human masticatory system

Abstract

In this study we tried to analyze the stress and deformation of human mandible and teeth during mastication by using finite element analysis. Three dimensional models of an intact mandible, teeth and pivot were modelled to analyze stress distribution and bite force under loading conditions. The initial models were simplified due to low resources of the computing machine. Boundary conditions were considered at the top of the model and established as fixed supports. Loads have been set at the top of the teeth, in the area of the cusps. According to several studies, the maximum mandible force for an adult can be 0.53 kN.