Analysis of mechanical stress in reconstruction plates for bridging mandibular angle defects.

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical stress in reconstruction plates and the screw-plate-bone interface used in bridging a mandibular angle defect by means of the finite element method (FEM). The influence of plate geometry as well as the configuration and the diameter of the screws on the mechanical stress distribution was to be determined at the same time and was used as the basis for developing suggestions to optimize the design of the reconstruction plates.

Material: Based on the geometrical data of a human mandible, an angle defect bridged by a titanium reconstruction plate was generated and exposed to chewing force.