Mandibular condyle changes in rats with unilateral masticatory function.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Certain malocclusions or unilateral tooth loss can lead to asymmetric functional load of the two mandibular sides during mastication and induce skeletal asymmetries to the condylar process of growing individuals. However, in adults, asymmetric function may have a different impact. The aim of the present study was to investigate three-dimensionally the effects of unilateral masticatory function on the condylar process morphology in growing and adult rats and the adaptive processes to differential condylar loading.

Materials and methods

Fifty-six growing and adult Wistar rats aged 4 and 26 weeks respectively were obtained. The maxillary right molars of the experimental animals were extracted and all animals were followed for 12 weeks. Three-dimensional images were ob

SUBMITTER: De Carli E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10084257 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature