Numerical modelling of human masticatory organ kinematics

Abstract

Functional disorders of the masticatory organ is a group of diseases characterized by the increasing frequency of instances whereby these disorders affect all age groups. Advances in technology and the application of specialized medical equipment facilitates the observation of masticatory organ disorders. Having regard to limitations associated with the use of clinical studies, a spatial model of the mandible kinematics was developed. Results of such model are obtained to enable accurate interpretation of data collected during clinical studies. The model formulated in the paper facilitates our understanding of the phenomena occurring during physiological mandible movements, also the results of modeling studies provide new information that has not yet been taken into account when analyzing the causes of dysfunction.