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A number of experimental studies have been carried out in order to clarify the question as to how temporomandibular joint adapt to the changes of mandibular movement and occlusal equilibration. Recently, the studies on the interrelations between anatomical structure of temporomandibular joint and the state of occlusion have been actively performed in dentistry particularly in prosthodontic field. Author performed extraction of unilateral mandibular molars in 30 mature male rats, and observed histological changes of temporomandibular joint through the light microscope. Following results were obtained: 1. The loss of unilateral teeth gave rise to the changes in the location of condylar head, that is, interior displacement of condylar head in the extraction side and upper displacement in the non-extraction side. 2. Articular disk was compressed by the interior surface of condylar head, resulting in its extension below the condylar neck in the extraction side, and the histological arrangement of the compressed area showed irregular feature. 3. The extension of articular disk below the condylar neck was accompanied with the contraction of muscle fibers, which were originated, from the articular disk. 4. The cartilage layer of articular fossa to the exterior of the extraction side showed hypertropy. 5. Early in the experiment, the inernal extremity of condylar head of extract ion side showed bone resorption, and cartilage layer of condylar head showed hypertropy. At 12 weeks after experiment, the condylar surface showed flattened, and the cartilage layer of condylar head was replaced by the compact bone. 6. The articular disk showed the formation of pannus in the extraction side as well as in the non-extraction side. 7. The occlusal disturbance due to unilateral missing teeth has brought about the non-inflammatory retrogressive change and osteoarthrotic change late in the experiment.
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