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Consequences of Viscoelastic Behavior in the Human Temporomandibular Joint Disc

J.H. Koolstra^*, and T.M.G.J. van Eijden

Department of Functional Anatomy, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands

^* corresponding author, j.h.koolstra{at}amc.uva.nl

The consequences of the viscoelastic behavior of the temporomandibular joint disc were analyzed in simulated jaw open-close cycles. It was hypothesized that viscoelasticity helps protect the underlying bone, while augmenting the smoothness of articular movements. Simulations were performed with a dynamic model of the masticatory system, incorporating the joints’ cartilaginous structures as Finite Element Models. A non-linear viscoelastic material model was applied for the disc. The apparent stiffness of the disc to principal stress was largest when the jaw was closed, whereas, with the Von Mises’ stress, it appeared largest when the jaw was open. The apparent stiffnesses appeared to be dependent on both the speed of the movements and the presence of a resistance between the teeth. It was concluded that the disc becomes stiffer when load concentrations can be expected. During continued cyclic motion, it softens, which favors smoothness of joint movement at the cost of damage prevention.

KEY WORDS: temporomandibular joint • articular disc • Finite Element modeling • viscoelasticity