0930 Biomechanical Analysis of TMJ Soft Tissues under Lateral Jaw Movement

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most frequently used joint, and the TMJ disorders have taken their place among major dental diseases with a high prevalence. Since the biomechanical condition in TMJ is difficult to be measured continuously in vivo, the computational biomechanics analysis is considered as a promising approach to understand the biomechanical condition in TMJ. In this study, the biomechanical condition in TMJ during asymmetric jaw movement was analyzed using the three-dimensional finite element model considering bilateral TMJs, and the mechanical risk factors for TMJ disorders was studied. TMJs model was developed based on MR images and cephalometric radiographs of individual subjects. The analysis of the stress and strain distributions within the connective tissue during asymmetric jaw movement provides the basis to understand the influence of lateral excursions on the TMJ disorders.