Structural and functional insights into juvenile cleft palate: a finite element approach
Abstract
Cleft palate is a craniofacial deformity characterized by a gap in the palate that opens into the nasal cavity. While approaches to surgically repair cleft palate exist, the biomechanical consequences of cleft palate remain mostly unclear. A recent study explored the impact of cleft palate on feeding mechanics in an adult skull modified to include an artificial cleft. However, no previous study has explored cleft palate biomechanics in juveniles. Since cleft palate is typically repaired before the age of 10, understanding its impact on strain regimes in juvenile skulls is crucial for optimizing surgical techniques and improving treatment outcomes. This study employs finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the relationship between cleft palate and craniofacial biomechanical performance in juvenile human skulls. Solid finite element models (FEMs) were constructed of two juvenile skulls, one with a cleft palate, the other lacking a cleft. Models were subjected to simulations of incisor and molar biting, and data on strain magnitudes were collected from locations across the mid-facial skeleton. We found that the “no cleft” FEM exhibited generally higher strain magnitudes across larger areas of the face. However, strain magnitudes in the “clefted” FEM were elevated at sites surrounding the cleft when biting ipsilaterally due to the medial rotation of the palate. Therefore, the cleft may impede the transmission of forces and concentrate strains more locally. Similarly, sites surrounding the cleft on the non-biting side generally exhibited lower strain magnitudes due to the cleft disrupting the transmission of internal forces. Our findings suggest that cleft palate disrupts the mechanical forces needed to stimulate bone formation. Reduced strain at key mid-facial sites in the “clefted” FEM may weaken the signals that drive bone adaptation, potentially hindering normal skeletal development. These results highlight the need to consider biomechanical factors when refining surgical repair and post-treatment strategies.
Start Time
16-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 11:30 AM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Justin Ledogar
Faculty Department
Biomedical Health Sciences
Structural and functional insights into juvenile cleft palate: a finite element approach
Cleft palate is a craniofacial deformity characterized by a gap in the palate that opens into the nasal cavity. While approaches to surgically repair cleft palate exist, the biomechanical consequences of cleft palate remain mostly unclear. A recent study explored the impact of cleft palate on feeding mechanics in an adult skull modified to include an artificial cleft. However, no previous study has explored cleft palate biomechanics in juveniles. Since cleft palate is typically repaired before the age of 10, understanding its impact on strain regimes in juvenile skulls is crucial for optimizing surgical techniques and improving treatment outcomes. This study employs finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the relationship between cleft palate and craniofacial biomechanical performance in juvenile human skulls. Solid finite element models (FEMs) were constructed of two juvenile skulls, one with a cleft palate, the other lacking a cleft. Models were subjected to simulations of incisor and molar biting, and data on strain magnitudes were collected from locations across the mid-facial skeleton. We found that the “no cleft” FEM exhibited generally higher strain magnitudes across larger areas of the face. However, strain magnitudes in the “clefted” FEM were elevated at sites surrounding the cleft when biting ipsilaterally due to the medial rotation of the palate. Therefore, the cleft may impede the transmission of forces and concentrate strains more locally. Similarly, sites surrounding the cleft on the non-biting side generally exhibited lower strain magnitudes due to the cleft disrupting the transmission of internal forces. Our findings suggest that cleft palate disrupts the mechanical forces needed to stimulate bone formation. Reduced strain at key mid-facial sites in the “clefted” FEM may weaken the signals that drive bone adaptation, potentially hindering normal skeletal development. These results highlight the need to consider biomechanical factors when refining surgical repair and post-treatment strategies.