Measurement of condylar loading forces by instrumented prosthesis in the baboon

Mathematical models have been developed to predict hypothetical forces acting on the mandibular condyles during mastication, but no direct measurements of condylar forces in vivo have been reported. This preliminary study presents the technical development of an instrumented prosthesis which was implanted in the mandibular ramus of a baboon, and some preliminary data collected while measuring with this prosthesis the condylar forces exerted during simulated mastication under general anaesthesia. Simulated mastication was induced by stimulating the motor tracts of the trigeminal nerve bilaterally, and the forces in response to increasing amperage were recorded. The pathogenesis of TMJ degeneration may be more fully understood by directly measuring the direction and magnitude of forces acting on the condyles during function. In addition, the future development of a total TMJ replacement for traumatized, deranged, or degeneratively impaired joints, must be accomplished with reliably engineered prostheses based upon direct force measurements.