Analysis of stress in temporomandibular joint during clenching

The stress in a human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during clenching was analyzed using a 2-dimensional model of a TMJ. The finite element method was employed and the contact between soft tissue and bone including articular cartilage was taken into consideration. The stress perpendicular to the surface in cortical bone is compressive on the anterior sides of the condyle and the glenoid fossa. The maximum and minimum principal stresses in the articular cartilage are nearly equal and the equivalent stress is relatively small in the region between the parietal and anterior directions. The equivalent stress is distributed in the articular disk when the condyle is displaced anteriorly in the TMJ. On the other hand, concentration of equivalent stress is observed in the disk when the condyle is displaced posteriorly.