[Effect of increased and decreased bite force on morphology of periodontal tissues].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to observe the effect of bite force on morphology of periodontal tissues.


METHODS
Animal models were induced by extracting the left maxillary molars; the left mandibular molars served as decreased bite force models; the right mandibular molars served as increased bite force models. The dynamic changes of widths of periodontal ligament and cementum were measured.


RESULTS
In decreased bite force group, there were significant morphologic changes of periodontal tissues after 1 week. In increased bite force group, there was no significant change. Ligament widths were significantly different after 2, 3 weeks respectively in those two groups, compared with that in control group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between proximal alveolar wall and distal alveolar wall in width (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The histological morphology is closely related to the mechanical condition. Physiological bite force is necessary for periodontal ligament to maintain its physiological structure.
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, WCUMS, Chengdu 610041, China.
F
F
Liu
Y
Y
Zhao
M
M
Li
W
W
Liu
H
H
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D001732:Bite Force; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar