A finite element model of the human face. Stress distribution around the chin due to articulation of the five vowels in Japanese.

Abstract

In this study the authors set out to investigate the stress distribution around the chin due to articulation, and to discuss whether the calculated stresses can cause bone remodeling. A finite element model of facial soft tissue was constructed and movements related to the articulation of the five basic Japanese vowel sounds were reproduced individually on the model. The stress distribution of each vowel depended on the shapes formed by the lips and the degree of mandibular opening. Stresses increased with the strain on the soft tissue of the lips. It seemed unlikely that the calculated stress alone was sufficient to produce a hypertrophic increase in modeling. However, it seemed that muscle forces might produce an effective strain load with a range sufficient to cause bone remodeling by accumulation of stresses around the chin.