A novel experimental design model for increasing occlusal vertical dimension.
This study aimed to establish a rat model of increasing occlusal vertical dimension (iOVD) using a prosthodontic approach. The OVD was increased by bonding a maxillary, bilateral, posterior dental splint with a bearing ball while the occlusal stops that were made on the stone casts adjusted the occlusion and bonded in the mouths of adult Wistar rats (iOVD group); the controls did not receive a splint. Both groups were subdivided after splint insertion: 3 days and 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks (n = 6/subgroup). The effects of iOVD were evaluated by radiographs, body weight, and histologic diagnosis of tooth and temporomandibular joints. There were no differences in body weights between the 2 groups; occlusal asymmetric dentition abrasions did not occur in the iOVD rats. The occlusal splints caused the remodeling of the periodontal tissue and condylar cartilage. Overall, an iOVD rat model can be constructed using prosthodontic techniques ensuring a balance of bilateral occlusal height.


BACKGROUND
OVD, occlusal vertical dimension; iOVD, increasing occlusal vertical dimension; TMJ, temporomandibular joint; TMD, temporomandibular disorders.
Li
Yan
Y
Department of Prosthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua College of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Zhang
Zhiguang
Z
Wu
Shuyi
S
Qiao
Yonggang
Y
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D016302:Centric Relation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D001840:Dental Bonding; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla; D023421:Models, Animal; D008963:Molar; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010519:Periodontium / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013499:Surface Properties; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000473:pathology; D014716:Vertical Dimension
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003188:Composite Resins; C444701:Filtek Z250