Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal
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March, 2007, Vol. 9, No. 1

CONTENTS

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Current concepts on the functional somatic syndromes and temporomandibular disorders
3-9

General health of dentists. Literature review
10-20

A pilot study of Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with early and moderate periodontitis
21-26

A three-dimensional model of the human masticatory system, including the mandible, the dentition and the temporomandibular joints
27-32

© 2007 Stomatologija

Stomatologija 2007; 9 (1): 27-32 376 KB

A three-dimensional model of the human masticatory system, including the mandible, the dentition and the temporomandibular joints

Gaivile Pileicikiene, Edvinas Varpiotas, Rimas Surna, Algimantas Surna

Summary

The objective of this study was to create a three-dimensional mathematical model of a human masticatory system, including the mandible, the dentition and the temporomandibular joints.

Object of research was one 20 year old dead man. The research was approved by Committee of bioethics (Kaunas University of Medicine). Required extent of computed tomography scanning and required high amount and high resolution of images increased X-ray radiation for the object and made this research impossible to perform on alive human. Spiral computed tomography scanning was performed to achieve two-dimensional images, necessary for creating three-dimensional model. The 3D modeling was done using the "Image pro plus" and "Imageware"software.

A three-dimensional physiological (normal) model of a human masticatory system, simulating the mandible, the dentition and the temporomandibular joints was generated. This model system will be used subsequently in stress analysis comparison for the physiological and pathological systems after improvement of its physical properties. We suggest that computer simulation is a promising way to study musculoskeletal biomechanics of masticatory system.

Key words: masticatory system, modeling, three dimensional models.

Received: 09 02 2007

Accepted for publishing: 27 03 2007


1Clinic of Prosthodontics, Kaunas Medical University, Lithuania

2Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania

Gaivile Pileicikiene1 – D.D.S., assist. prof.

Edvinas Varpiotas1 – D.D.S., assist. prof.

Rimas Surna2 – assoc. prof.

Algimantas Surna1 – D.D.S., PhD., assoc. prof., Head of Clinic of Prosthodontics, Kaunas Medical University, Lithuania

Address correspondence to Gaivile Pileicikiene, Clinic of Prosthodontics, Sukileliu 51, Kaunas, Lithuania.

E-mail: gaivile@gmail.com