Mechanics in head and neck reconstruction

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When titanium implants are used to attached facial prosthesis and/or bone anchored hearing aids during facial reconstruction it is important that they maintain a solid connection with the underlying bone. Current medical imaging technologies  are unable to diagnose changes to this bone-implant interface, so other means must be used to determine the health of these implants.  A mechanical impact technique is being developed in which a small instrumented rod is used to monitor the accelerations which occur during an impact with an implant.  Mathematical models of the implant system are being developed to aid in interpreting the results of the impact while clinical trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique. During orthodontic treatment, orthodontists apply continuous force systems to teeth to reposition them permanently with the dental arch to imporve occlusion.  Despite many years of practice and research, a clear understanding of the link between the force levels and the associated rate of tooth movement has not been achieved.  Controlled clinical trials are being developed to help address this important issue.  CT scans will be used to monitor changes in tooth position while the force systems applied and its effects on the supporting structures of the tooth are carefully scrutinized.