THE INFLUENCE OF ALTERED OCCLUSION ON THE CONDYLAR CARTILAGE OF THE MANDIBLE AND ON THE GROWTH OF THE ENTIRE SKULL

The effect of the loss of the suspensory zones of the upper jaw on the cartilage of the mandibular condyles and on the growth of both the vi scerocranium and the neurocranium was examined after tooth crowns had been reduced in Wistar rats. We measured the thickness of the individu al layers of the condylar cartilage and its total thickness. Alteratio ns in the developmental processes involving the condylar cartilage exp ressed themselves as accelerated maturation, particulary in the centra lly compressed areas of the cartilage. Alterations in occlusion influe nced the development of the viscerocranium, whereas no influence on th e growth of the neurocranium was detected.