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Role of Protective Pads in Mandibular Biomechanics During Frontal Impact

Authors :

Hosna Olfati¹ Ata Hashemi²

1- دانشگاه صنعتی امیرکبیر(پلی تکنیک تهران) 2- دانشگاه صنعتی امیرکبیر(پلی تکنیک تهران)

Keywords :

Mandibular fracture،Finite Element Analysis،Injury Prevention،Impact،Expanded Polystyrene foam

Abstract :

Mandibular fractures are common maxillofacial injuries, frequently resulting from sports, traffic accidents, and violence. Despite advancement in protective strategies, the role of external protective pads in mitigating impact forces to the mandible remains underexplored. This study develops a finite element (FE) model of the human mandible to evaluate the biomechanical effectiveness of expanded polystyrene pads in reducing stress concentration during frontal impact. A three-dimensional FE model of the human mandible was constructed using high-resolution computed tomography data and assigned density-based heterogenous material properties to it. The mandible was subjected to a frontal impact under three configurations: no protective pad, with a 19mm EPS pad and with a 31mm EPS pad. Results demonstrated that both EPS pads reduced impact severity. Compared to the unprotected model, the peak impact force decreased by approximately 67% and 71%, respectively, with the 19 mm and 31 mm foams. Maximum first principal stress was reduced from 406 MPa for unprotected mandible to 170 MPa, and 158 MPa for mandibles with EPS foam thicknesses of 19 and 31 mm, respectively. This research indicated that the application of EPS foam led to an extended impact duration with a reduced peak force, thereby decreasing stress on the mandible. Incorporating a shock-absorbing EPS layer significantly mitigates the risk of mechanical injury during frontal impacts.