Nonlinear Biomechanical Characteristics of the Schneiderian Membrane: Experimental Study and Numerical Modeling

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to quantify the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the Schneiderian membrane. METHODS: Thirty cadaveric maxillary sinus membrane specimens were divided into the elongation testing group and the perforation testing group. Mechanical experimental measurements were taken via ex vivo experiments. Theoretical curves were compared with experimental findings to assess the effectiveness of the nonlinear mechanical properties. The FE model with nonlinear mechanical properties was used to simulate the detachment of the Schneiderian membrane under loading. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the membrane samples was 1.005 mm. The mean tensile strength obtained by testing was 6.81 N/mm(2). In membrane perforation testing, the mean tensile strength and the linear elastic modulus were significantly higher than those in membrane elongation testing (P < 0.05). The mean adhesion force between the Schneiderian membrane and the bone was 0.052 N/mm. By FE modeling, the squared correlation coefficients of theoretical stress-strain curves for the nonlinear and linear models were 0.99065 and 0.94656 compared with the experimental data. CONCLUSIONS: The biomechanical properties of the Schneiderian membrane were implemented into the FE model, which was applied to simulate the mechanical responses of the Schneiderian membrane in sinus floor elevation.