biostudies-literatureChen CPNIDCR NIH HHSe10638https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9289985biostudies-literatureUnknown6(7)The adaptive response of the mandible and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to altered occlusion in juvenile patients is presently unclear. To address this question, we established a mouse model in which all molars were extracted from the maxillary right quadrant in prepubertal, 3-week-old mice and analyzed morphological, tissue, cellular, and molecular changes in the mandible and condyle 3 weeks later. Unilateral loss of maxillary molars led to significant, robust, bilateral changes, primarily in condylar morphology, including anteroposterior narrowing of the condylar head and neck and increased convexity at the condylar surface, as determined by geometric morphometric analysis. Furthermore, both condyles in experimental mice exhibited a degenerative phenotype, which included decreased bone vJBMR plusUnilateral Loss of Maxillary Molars in Young Mice Leads to Bilateral Condylar Adaptation and Degenerative Disease.PMC9289985K08 DE028011Hassan MGGoodwin AFNavarro Palacios AAChen CPZhang JJheon AHChen CCKapila SHane KZhang BfalseUnilateral Loss of Maxillary Molars in Young Mice Leads to Bilateral Condylar Adaptation and Degenerative Disease.The adaptive response of the mandible and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to altered occlusion in juvenile patients is presently unclear. To address this question, we established a mouse model in which all molars were extracted from the maxillary right quadrant in prepubertal, 3-week-old mice and analyzed morphological, tissue, cellular, and molecular changes in the mandible and condyle 3 weeks later. Unilateral loss of maxillary molars led to significant, robust, bilateral changes, primarily in condylar morphology, including anteroposterior narrowing of the condylar head and neck and increased convexity at the condylar surface, as determined by geometric morphometric analysis. Furthermore, both condyles in experimental mice exhibited a degenerative phenotype, which included decreased bone v2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jul2025-04-05T14:24:50.22Z2025-04-05T14:24:50.22ZS-EPMC92899853586615210.1002/jbm4.10638