Temporomandibular joint prosthesis design for enhanced stability and mobility

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses aim to restore joint function in cases of severe dysfunction or anatomical loss. This study presents a subject-specific design methodology using an integrated CAD and multibody (MB) approach to evaluate and optimize TMJ prosthesis performance. Experimental mandibular motion was captured using an optical tracking system and applied to a MB model replicating the subject’s anatomy. Three prosthesis designs were assessed: an existing design provided by a company (CD), a revised new design (ND) and a digged design (DD) created through contact-driven surface modification. Performance metrics included interincisal distance at mouth complete aperture, condyle displacement and TMJ contact forces. The CD exhibited premature condyle dislocation and limited mobility. The ND introduced anatomical stops and surface inclination, significantly improving range of motion and reducing asymmetry. The DD further enhanced performance through optimized articular surface shaping, achieving near-physiological kinematics and a 35.7% reduction in peak contact force compared to CD. Results suggest that prosthetic performance can be substantially improved by tailoring articular geometries to subject-specific motion data. Future work will extend the model to include musculature for more comprehensive biomechanical analysis.