Τitle

A bio-realistic finite element model to evaluate the effect of masticatory loadings on mouse mandible-related tissues.

Mice are arguably the dominant model organisms for studies investigating the effect
of genetic traits on the pathways to mammalian skull and teeth development, thus
being integral in exploring craniofacial and dental evolution. The aim of this study is
to analyse the functional significance of masticatory loads on the mouse mandible
and identify critical stress accumulations that could trigger phenotypic and/or growth
alterations in mandible-related structures. To achieve this, a 3D model of mouse
skulls was reconstructed based on Micro Computed Tomography measurements. Upon
segmenting the main hard tissue components of the mandible such as incisors, molars
and alveolar bone, boundary conditions were assigned on the basis of the masticatory
muscle architecture. The model was subjected to four loading scenarios simulating
different feeding ecologies according to the hard or soft type of food and chewing or
gnawing biting movement. Chewing and gnawing resulted in varying loading patterns,
with biting type exerting a dominant effect on the stress variations experienced by the
mandible and loading intensity correlating linearly to the stress increase. The simulation
provided refined insight on the mechanobiology of the mouse mandible, indicating that
food consistency could influence micro evolutionary divergence patterns in mandible
shape of rodents.