The effect of loss of occlusal support on mandibular morphology in growing rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of unilateral and bilateral premature loss of posterior occlusal support on mandibular bone dimensions in growing rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female Wistar rats (5 weeks old) were randomized into three groups: control, unilateral mandibular molar teeth extraction, and bilateral mandibular molar teeth extraction. After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed and acrylic rapid-prototyped templates of the mandibles were constructed. Mandibular length, ramus height, intercondylar distance, and body weight were measured and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (Tukey test as post hoc test; α = .05). RESULTS: Mandibular length and intercondylar distance were significantly shorter in experimental animals, while no difference was observed for ramus height and body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral and bilateral premature loss of posterior occlusal support in growing rats results in a smaller mandible at skeletal maturity.