1. Correlation between Malocclusion and Mandibular Fractures: An Experimental Study Comparing Dynamic Finite Element Models and Clinical Case Studies
- Author
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Novelli, G, Filippi, A, Cartocci, A, Mirabella, S, Talarico, M, De Ponti, E, Meazzini, M, Sozzi, D, Canzi, G, Anghileri, M, Novelli, Giorgio, Filippi, Andrea, Cartocci, Andrea, Mirabella, Sergio, Talarico, Marco, De Ponti, Elena, Meazzini, Maria Costanza, Sozzi, Davide, Canzi, Gabriele, Anghileri, Marco, Novelli, G, Filippi, A, Cartocci, A, Mirabella, S, Talarico, M, De Ponti, E, Meazzini, M, Sozzi, D, Canzi, G, Anghileri, M, Novelli, Giorgio, Filippi, Andrea, Cartocci, Andrea, Mirabella, Sergio, Talarico, Marco, De Ponti, Elena, Meazzini, Maria Costanza, Sozzi, Davide, Canzi, Gabriele, and Anghileri, Marco
- Abstract
Mandibular fractures are very common in maxillofacial trauma surgery. While previous studies have focused on possible risk factors related to post-operative complications, none have tried to identify pre-existing conditions that may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. We hypothesized, through clinical observation, that anatomical conditions involving poor dental contacts, such as malocclusions, may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. This work was subdivided into two parts. In the first part, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data of four healthy patients characterized by different dentoskeletal occlusions (class I, class II, class III, and anterior open bite) have been used to develop four finite element models (FEMs) that accurately reproduce human bone structure. A vertical and lateral impact have been simulated at increasing speed on each model, analyzing the force distribution within the mandibular bone. Both vertical and lateral impact showed higher level of stress at the impact point and in the condylar area in models characterized by malocclusion. Specifically, the class III and the open bite models, at the same speed of impact, had higher values for a longer period, reaching critical stress levels that are correlated with mandibular fracture, while normal occlusion seems to be a protective condition. In the second part of this study, the engineering results were validated through the comparison with a sample of patients previously treated for mandibular fracture. Data from 223 mandibular fractures, due to low-energy injuries, were retrospectively collected to evaluate a possible correlation between pre-existing malocclusion and fracture patterns, considering grade of displacement, numbers of foci, and associated CFI score. Patients were classified, according to their occlusion, into Class I, Class II, Class III, and anterior open bite or poor occlusal contact (POC). Class I patients showed lower frequencies of fracture tha
- Published
- 2024