Abstract: Objective To analyze age-related mandible stress distribution due to midline force. Methods Mandibles of children, adults, and elderly individuals were scanned by spiral CT to establish three-dimension imaging models with mesh elements by MIMICS software and HYPERMESH software. The mandible stress distribution was analyzed using ANSIS software. Results There was no significant difference in mandible stress distribution in various age groups with the greatest stress distribution (Von Mises) present at the mandible angle. Although there was stress present at the mandible neck in adults, no such mandible neck stress was found in children and elderly individuals. Conclusion Mandible stress distribution is closely related to the incidence of fracture in various age groups, i.e., more stress and more fracture.

Key words: mandible, mesh element, stress distribution, age