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The relationship between occlusal support and maxillary development: An animal study
Fabricio F Da Costa1, Gabriela S M Q Santos1, Arcelino Farias-Neto1
1Department of Dentistry, Health School, Potiguar University - Laureate International Universities, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Objective:
To test the hypothesis that maxillary development may be affected by occlusal support.
Materials And Methods:
The sample was composed by Wistar rats (5 weeks old) divided into three groups: Control (n = 10), extraction of mandibular molar teeth - left side (n = 10), extraction mandibular molar teeth - left and right sides (n = 10). The rats were sacrificed 8 weeks postextraction. Cone beam computed tomography scan images were taken for posterior measurement of maxillary length and width. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (Tukey test as post-hoc test).
Results:
Maxillary length was significantly shorter (P < 0.005) in both groups after tooth extraction. No difference was observed regarding maxillary width and body weight.
Conclusion:
Reduced occlusal support may impair the development of the maxilla in rats.
