[Stress analysis of the human mandible in standard trauma situations with numerical simulation]

For the stress analysis of the human mandible a flexible simulation concept basing on finite element-method has been developed. One of the main issues is the prediction of fractures as a consequence of known forces as well as the forensic reconstruction of the traumatologic situation. At first, the individual geometry was reconstructed by 3D-CT-Scans. To reduce the simulation efforts, for the time being the anisotropic structural mechanics of the jaw bone was neglected in favour of an homogeneous and isotropic material law. Assuming the Von-Mises-Stress as a failure indicator the results of the simulations were in good agreement with typical traumatologic situations. For further validation of the model, a real failure case, shown on a radiograph of a injured human mandible with three fractures, was simulated and, by this, the real incident was reconstructed. Reasonable planned extensions of the actual simulation concept have the regard on the nerve channel, the temporomandibular joint's function, the paradontal apparatus and the individual mechanical properties of the bone.