| Summary: From past to present, a variety of artificial organs which can have been developed in the human body, which can serve as a function of the organs that cannot fulfill their expected functions. The prostheses used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region, the junction of the lower jaw and temporal bone, are optimal example for these artificial organs. In this thesis, design criteria and application risks of TMJ prostheses which are not produced in our country, were evaluated using the published data scientific articles, surgical operations and questionnaires.
Firstly, undamaged lower jaw model was designed and then commercial TMJ prosthesis CAD data was generated using optical scanning method. These CAD data were then used to obtain the main comparison models of undamaged lower jaw bone and commercial TMJ prostheses. Mechanical analysis of the comparison models based on the finite element method were evaluated and new TMJ prostheses with self-pinned and less fixing bolt structure having less stress on both cortical bone tissues and fixing bolts compared to commercial prosthetic models, were designed. In the prosthetic fixation studies, alternative slot bolting areas were provided to the surgeons in the TMJ prostheses in which ideal pin-bolt structures were also investigated. As a result of all these studies, PI2C/3 TMJ prosthesis was obtained to be an optimum design, and its prototypes were then produced.
Key Words: Biomechanics, Temporomandibular joint prosthesis, Finite element method, Stress analysis, Fixation screws |
