A custom-made temporomandibular joint prosthesis for fabrication by selective laser melting: Finite element analysis

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a unique and crucial role in our daily life, as it is involved in speech, expression and chewing. TMJ defects are caused by trauma, infection, tumour, ankylosis, and/or idiopathic resorption. Reconstruction of acquired TMJ defects is an obvious challenge in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Several techniques have been developed over the decades, such as costochondral grafting, iliac crest bone grafting, distraction osteotomy, fibular free flap, and alloplastic TMJ implants [1,2].
Source: Medical Engineering and Physics - Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Source Type: research