title: Role of occlusal vertical dimension in spindle function.
abstract: Several studies have suggested the jaw-muscle spindle as the receptor responsible for regulating and maintaining the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). However, to challenge this assumption, we hypothesized that long-term changes in OVD could affect the sensory inputs from jaw-muscle spindles. In this study, we investigated changes in masseter muscle spindle function under an increased OVD (iOVD) condition. Responses of primary and secondary endings of masseter muscle spindles to cyclic sinusoidal stretches were investigated. Twenty barbiturate-anesthetized female Wistar rats were divided into control and iOVD groups. Rats in the iOVD group received a 2.0-mm composite resin build-up to the maxillary molars. After iOVD, masseter muscle spindle sensitivity gradually decreased. Primary and secondary spindle endings were affected differently. We conclude that iOVD caused reduction in masseter muscle spindle sensitivity. This result suggests that peripheral sensory plasticity may occur following changes in OVD. Such changes may provide a basis for physiological adaptation to clinical occlusal adjustments.
authors.affiliation: Orthodontic Science, Department of Orofacial Development and Function, Division of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549. yabushita-t.orts@tmd.ac.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yabushita
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zeredo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soma
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004576:Electromyography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009470:Muscle Spindles / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014716:Vertical Dimension
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins