Modeling of Screw-Plate Systems for Mandibular Fracture Repair

Abstract

Fractures of the mandible are a common form of traumatic injury. These fractures may be repaired using miniplates secured to cortical bone with screws. In the present research, the authors measure the pull-out strengths of cortical screws using a standard test paradigm and develop a finite element model to analyze forces acting on these screws. Pull-out strengths are measured in a tri-laminate synthetic material that mimics the cortical layers and cancellous bone of the mandible. A finite-element (FE) model is developed to analyze the mechanics of deformation of the model bone during the pullout process. Issues that are important for the proper modeling of both normal and fractured mandibles are also considered.