| Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools. |
Effects of a Liquid Diet on Temporomandibular Joint Mechano-receptorsOrthodontic Sciences, Department of Orofacial Development and Function, Division of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan Correspondence: takaorts{at}tmd.ac.jp Load during mastication is an important factor for the development and maintenance of mechano- receptor properties. The purpose of this study was to examine property changes in the rat TMJ mechano-receptors under conditions of liquid diet feeding and low articular load during the growth period. The hypothesis was that alterations in mastication of liquid diet might increase TMJ mechano-receptor sensitivity. Sixty-six two-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a control group that was fed on whole pellets, and an experimental group that was fed a liquid diet. Electrophysiological recordings from the TMJ units were obtained from the trigeminal ganglion when the rats were 5, 7, and 9 weeks old. In the experimental group, TMJ mechanoreceptor sensitivity increased, because the firing threshold gradually decreased and the maximum instantaneous frequency gradually increased. In conclusion, functional properties of TMJ mechano-receptors under low articular loading conditions cannot mature normally within the growth period.
Key Words: TMJ mechano-receptor development mastication early development
Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 88, No. 2,
187-191 (2009) |
|
|||
