Changes in the innervation of rabbit craniomandibular joint tissues associated with experimental induction of anterior disk displacement: histochemical and immunohistochemical studies

Effects of injury or removal of the articular disc on maxillomandibular growth in young rats

PURPOSE

This study analyzed the effects of injury and removal of the articular disc on maxillomandibular growth in young rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty 1-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: injury, removal, and sham operated. Unilateral injury of the articular disc, removal of the articular disc, or only surgical access was performed. The animals were sacrificed at 3 months of age. Specimens were submitted to radiographic incidences and cephalometric mensurations were performed using a computer system. Data were subjected to statistical analyses among groups and between sides in each group.

RESULTS

There were degenerative changes of the condylar process in the injury and removal groups. Significant differences between sides were observed for length of the premaxilla, height of the mandibular body, and length of the mandible. Concomitant group comparisons showed significant differences in the height of the mandibular body (P = .003) and the length of the mandible (P = .001). There were important decreases to the height of the mandibular body and mandibular length in the injury group, whereas there was an important decrease only for the length of the mandible in the removal group. Specific measurements of mandibular ramus structures exhibited differences between the injury and sham-operated groups and between the removal and sham-operated groups.

CONCLUSION

Experimental injury and removal of the articular disc during the growth period in rats had deleterious effects on ramus structures and induced asymmetry of the mandible, with worse outcomes resulting from injury to the articular disc.