An investigation of damage to the human temporomandibular joint during cranial accelerations

Lyons, C. G.; Brady, C. L.; Simms, C.

Affiliations

¹Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin. Dublin.2. Ireland

Abstract

The literature contains considerable data on the traumatic effects of head-neck acceleration due to rear-end collisions. The Temporomandibular (jaw) joint is also subject to indirect loading, due to its inertial behaviour. Only a small body of work, Schneider et al [1989], describes motion of the mandible in these circumstances.

In this study we investigate the nature of forces reacted within the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A model has been built which is a precise representation of the TMJ embodied in a physically exact model cranium. The whole is mounted on an RID-III cervical spine. Sled tests were performed. Results show high angular velocities and accelerations of the mandible for low velocity rear-end impacts.

Cited Works (2)

Year	Entry
1995	Geigl BC, Steffan H, Dippel C, Muser MH, Walz F, Svensson MY. Comparison of head-neck kinematics during rear end impact between standard Hybrid III, RID neck, volunteers and PMTO's. In: Proceedings of the 1995 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 13-15, 1995; Brunnen, Switzerland.261-270.
1995	McConnell WE, Howard RP, Van Poppel J, Krause R, Guzman HM, Bomar JB, Raddin JH, Benedict JV, Hatsell CP. Human head and neck kinematics after low velocity rear-end impacts: understanding "whiplash". In: Proceedings of the 39th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 8-10, 1995; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:215-238. SAE 952724.

Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
1998	Lyons CG, Brady CL, Simms CK. Rear-impacted inflicted temporomandibular joint injury. In: Proceedings of the 1998 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 16-18, 1998; Göteberg, Sweden.275-288.
2001	Lyons CG, Simms CK, Brady CL. Rear-impact inflicted temporomandibular joint injury. J Crash Prev Injury Control. 2001;2(4):257-269.
2007	Craig MJ. Biomechanics of Jaw Loading in Football Helmet Impacts [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; 2007.