Experiments with unilateral bite planes in rabbits

1. Insertion of bite planes on the right mandibular lateral teeth of eight young rabbits caused load changes in the masticatory system. Eight other animals served as controls. 2. The induced changes were equilibrated during the nine-week experimental period by adapation processes. At the end of the period all teeth were in occlusion and the glenoid fossa-condylar process distance was equal on both sides. 3. The adaptation was the result of several mechanisms working together. We found changes in the alveolar region and at distant growth structures. Cranial scolioses were observed. 4. Masticatory functional loading is a factor which regulates growth in the region of the facial skeleton.