The effects of induced dental malocclusion on the fibrocartilage disc of the adult rabbit temporomandibular joint.

Unilateral cast occlusal splints were fitted to the mandibular posterior teeth of adult rabbits, for periods of 1-28 days. The reactivity of the mandibular disc was examined by the effect on cell proliferation across the anterior, intermediate and posterior discal bands, as measured by metaphase arrest using vincristine sulphate. The effect on the disc was to activate cell proliferation on the splinted side. Intensity of response varied according to the length of time after fitting the splint, and the site involved. The findings suggested that the adult mandibular disc may participate in compensatory change at a cellular level and thus respond to changing functional loads placed upon the adult temporomandibular joints.