Temporomandibular joint response to mandibular deviation in rabbits detected by 3D micro-CT imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Micro-computed tomography enables continuous and dynamic observation of the three-dimensional morphology of small structures. We observed morphological changes of the temporomandibular joint condyle under mandibular deviation continuously in an animal model by micro-computed tomography.


METHODS
Twelve Dutch rabbits were used (9 as experimental and 3 as control). In the experimental rabbits, the mandible was deviated posteriorly on the left side using an elastic band. Bilateral temporomandibular joints were scanned by micro-computed tomography preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the operation. Histopathological examination was also carried out to confirm the changes.


RESULTS
It was shown that mandibular deviation induces condyle resorption in either ipsilateral or contralateral temporomandibular joint, which consequently makes the condyle smaller. Bone resorption settled down earlier in the contralateral joint and the quantity of bone resorption on the contralateral side was smaller than on the experimental side. Histopathological examination also showed destructive bone changes in the condyle, although they could not completely reflect the morphological changes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that reduction of the condylar size occurred as an adaptive change to mandibular deviation.
Zhao
Chen
C
Department of Dental and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumato 390-8621, Japan.
Kurita
Hiroshi
H
Kurashina
Kenji
K
Hosoya
Akihiro
A
Arai
Yoshinori
Y
Nakamura
Hiroaki
H
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications*; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*