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Modeling the human mandible under masticatory loads: which input variables are important?
Flora Gröning1, Michael Fagan, Paul O'Higgins
1Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, UK. f.groening@hull.ac.uk
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|April 3, 2012
Summary
Finite element analyses (FEA) of the human mandible require sensitivity analyses to ensure robust results. Varying input variables significantly impacts FEA outcomes, affecting biological interpretations.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Computational modeling
- Human anatomy
Background:
- Finite element analyses (FEA) are used to simulate human mandible loading.
- Significant variations exist in FEA input variables (material properties, constraints, forces).
- Lack of sensitivity analyses hinders assessment of FEA result robustness in published studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a sensitivity analysis on a human mandible FE model.
- To quantify the impact of key modeling decisions on FEA results.
- To assess the robustness of FEA for biological interpretation.
Main Methods:
- FEA of a human mandible model.
- Sensitivity analysis of material properties, periodontal ligament inclusion, joint/bite constraints, and muscle force orientation.
- Analysis of surface strain magnitudes and directions.
- Geometric morphometric analysis of model deformation.
Main Results:
- Varying input properties significantly affects FEA results.
- Most property alterations produced substantial effects.
- These effects can compromise the biological interpretation of FEA findings.
Conclusions:
- Sensitivity analyses are crucial for assessing FEA robustness.
- Researchers should perform more sensitivity analyses to validate FEA results and biological conclusions.
- Current FEA practices may lead to unreliable biological interpretations without sensitivity analysis.
