– Botox is used to correct the occlusion in modern medicine. In our opinion, before such procedures, it is important to predict how much the substance will help to relax the muscles and how their shape will be changed. Our technology will help to determine the shape of the patient's face after changing the bite before medical interventions. The software package will give recommendations to doctors on the optimal amount of the drug for dental treatment, - says Vladislav Nikitin, Associate Professor of the of Computational Mathematics, Mechanics and Biomechanics Department of Perm Tech, PhD in Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
The medical officers will need to upload photographs of the patient's face from the front and from the side, left and right into the software complex. The doctor also places the MRI scans in the tomogram analysis program to highlight the areas of muscle and bone that are needed. Further, the development of biomechanics of the Perm Tech analyzes their size and location in order to determine the strength of the muscles. Then the program corrects the relative position of the jaw, which affects the shape of the face. This will help patients see their future smile before medical intervention.
According to scientists, now in the world there are no similar programs that predict changes in muscle length with the introduction of botulinum toxin and its effect on the shape of the face.
– Malocclusion in most cases can lead to a change in the shape of the cervical spine, which causes pain. This is due to changes in the muscles forces and cervical vertebrae. The bite affects the change in the relative position of the jaw. The upper jaw is connected to the skull, which, in turn, is connected to the first cervical vertebra. Pain can occur due to muscle strain or excessive pressure on the nerves that are located near the cervical vertebrae, explains Vladislav Nikitin.
In order to solve this problem, scientists of Perm Tech create a software solution. It will help to find out how the change in bite affects the strength in the muscles of the neck. Doctors will be able to analyze these processes based on the results of magnetic resonance tomography of the head and cervical spine.
Using the mathematical apparatus on the basis of which scientists create a program, it is possible to determine the tension of all muscles after the intended correction. In addition, the development will help to find out if the temporomandibular joint disc, teeth, periodontium and bone tissue are overloaded. An integrated approach will help new patients, as well as reduce the number of return visits.
Both programs will take into account the age of the patients, the muscles condition of the face and neck, the bone tissue of the jaws and cervical vertebrae. For a more detailed analysis and prevention of problems after treatment, researchers are developing a three-dimensional model of the head, highlighting areas: bones, muscles, ligamentum and other areas.