Abstract:

Objective To build the physical model of four suturae which are related to the growth of maxilla in the three-dimensional finite-element model of maxillofacial bones. Methods A 16 years old volunteer with individual normal occlusion, good periodontium health condition and without diseases of temporomandibular joint was chosen to be the material of modeling. The three-dimensional finite-element model of the volunteer’s maxillofacial bones was built using the CT scan and the finite-element modeling method. Finally we built the physical model of four suturae which were related to the growth of maxilla in the model of maxillofacial bones. Results The model of maxillofacial bones with 86 575 nodes and 485 915 elements was generated. This model contained four suturae including sutura frontomaxillaris, sutura zygomaticomaxillaris, sutura temporozygomatica and sutura pterygopalatine. Conclusion A three-dimensional finite-element model of maxillofacial bones with good biological similarity was developed.

Key words: biomechanics, maxillofacial bones, three-dimensional finite-element model, physical model of sutura