Rm. Shaw et Gs. Molyneux, THE EFFECTS OF INDUCED DENTAL MALOCCLUSION ON THE FIBROCARTILAGE DISCOF THE ADULT-RABBIT TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT, Archives of oral biology, 38(5), 1993, pp. 415-422
Unilateral cast occlusal splints were fitted to the mandibular posteri
or teeth of adult rabbits, for periods of 1-28 days. The reactivity of
the mandibular disc was examined by the effect on cell proliferation
across the anterior, intermediate and posterior discal bands, as measu
red by metaphase arrest using vincristine sulphate. The effect on the
disc was to activate cell proliferation on the splinted side. Intensit
y of response varied according to the length of time after fitting the
splint, and the site involved. The findings suggested that the adult
mandibular disc may participate in compensatory change at a cellular l
evel and thus respond to changing functional loads placed upon the adu
lt temporomandibular joints.