Development of a measurement system for the mechanical load of functional appliances

Devices called functional appliances are commonly used in orthodontics for treating maxillary protrusion. These devices mechanically force the mandible forward to apply traction force to the mandibular condyle. This promotes cartilaginous growth in the small mandible. However, no studies have clarif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomechanics 2017-10, Vol.63, p.197-202
Main Authors: Shimazaki, Aya, Kimura, Hitoshi, Inou, Norio, Maki, Koutaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanical Phenomena
Child
Computation
Computed tomography
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Devices
Elastic Modulus
Female
Functional appliances
Headgear
Humans
Male
Malocclusion, Angle Class II - diagnostic imaging
Malocclusion, Angle Class II - physiopathology
Malocclusion, Angle Class II - therapy
Mandible
Mandibular Condyle - diagnostic imaging
Mandibular Condyle - physiopathology
Maxilla
Maxilla - diagnostic imaging
Measuring instruments
Mechanical load
Mechanical properties
Modulus of elasticity
Morphology
Orthodontic Appliances, Functional
Orthodontics
Patients
Sensors
Temporomandibular joint
Temporomandibular Joint - diagnostic imaging
Temporomandibular Joint - physiopathology
Tomography
Traction
Traction force
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Summary:Devices called functional appliances are commonly used in orthodontics for treating maxillary protrusion. These devices mechanically force the mandible forward to apply traction force to the mandibular condyle. This promotes cartilaginous growth in the small mandible. However, no studies have clarified how much traction force is applied to the mandibular condyle. Moreover, it remains unknown as to how anatomical characteristics affect this traction force. Therefore, in this study, we developed a device for measuring the amount of force generated while individual patients wore functional appliances, and we investigated the relationship between forces with structures surrounding the mandibular condyle. We compared traction force values with cone-beam computed tomography image data in eight subjects. The functional appliance resulted in a traction force of 339–1477gf/mm, with a mean value of 196.5gf/mm for the elastic modulus of the mandible. A comparison with cone-beam computed tomography image data suggested that the mandibular traction force was affected by the mandibular condyle and shape of the articular eminence. This method can contribute to discovering efficient treatment techniques more suited to individual patients.
ISSN:0021-9290
1873-2380
DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.08.022