Three-dimensional finite element analysis of human temporomandibular joint with and without disc displacement during jaw opening.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of stress distribution in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc during jaw opening between the subjects with and without internal derangement of TMJ (TMJ-ID). Three symptom-free volunteers and three symptomatic patients with anterior disc displacement were selected as normal and TMJ-ID subjects, respectively. For each subject, magnetic resonance images (MRI) were taken in the axial, sagittal and coronal directions. Using MRI taken, six three-dimensional finite element models of TMJ were developed. For each subject, the condylar movements during jaw opening were recorded and used as the loading condition for stress analysis. By comparing the calculated disc displacement to the measured one from MRI, the frictional coefficients were mu = 0.001 for the normal subjects, but mu = 0.01-0.001 for the TMJ-ID subjects. For the normal subjects, relatively high stresses were found at the anterior and lateral portions of the disc throughout jaw opening. In the connective tissues, the stress level was higher in the TMJ-ID than in the normal subjects. It is suggested that the disc displacement induces the change of stress distribution in the disc and the increase of frictional coefficients between articular surfaces, resulting in the secondary tissue damage.