Objective: To develop a functional biomechanical mandibular model, and to observe the stress distribution of angle-fractured mandible under different rigid internal fixation (RIF) methods.
Methods: A biomechanical model of mandible was built which include the simulative temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) and was under mechanical loads of masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid. The different stress pattern was measured by strain gauges. Under the standard mandibular angle fracture, bilateral molar biting and four pairs of muscles loading, the strains were compared to evaluate the stability of one-or two-miniplate fixation.
Results: The fixation of miniplate in the lateral oblique line can recover the main stress on the non-fracture side, but it was broken in the fracture side. The tension increased in the lower border of mandibular angle.
Conclusion: Through the biomechanical study based on the functional mandibular model, only one miniplate fixation in lateral oblique line for mandible angle fracture was insufficient buttressing of the segments, while the additional miniplate in the lower margin can recover the stress pattern and provide more stability.