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This study was designed to evaluate patterns of stress generation in the temporomandibular joint after mandibular protraction, by using a 3-dimensional finite element method. The results of the initial investigation are reported here in Part 1. The effects of varying the construction bite are reported in Part 2.

A 3-dimensional computer-aided design model was developed from the magnetic resonance images of a growing boy (age, 12 years), by using I-DEAS NX (version 11.0, Siemens PLM Software, Plano, Tex). The model simulated mandibular protraction, with 5 mm of sagittal advancement and 4 mm of vertical opening. Stress distributions on the condylar neck, the glenoid fossa, and the articular disc in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were assessed.

Tensile stresses were located on the posterosuperior aspects and compressive stresses on the anterior and …