Abstract
From the biomechanical concepts regarding the masticatory load distribution, the mandible has a load flow pattern from the teeth to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Studies have presented morphological changes in the temporomandibular joint after dental occlusal alterations, such as the premature contacts. Thus, it is important to figure out the bone mechanobiology of the mandibular condyle, involving the relation mechanical stimuli x biological response. The aim of this work was to perform an immunohistochemical analysis of β‐catenin expression associated to a computational simulation by finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate the relation between the osteocyte mechanosensation and the bone strain. This relation was evaluated in rats with occlusal changes by premature contact. Thirty male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus), Wistar lineage and 2 months old were used in this study. The animals were divided into two groups: control group (N = 10) and experimental group (N = 20). In the experimental group, premature contact was created by a stainless‐steel fragment, with 0.7 mm thickness, cemented on the first upper molar of all animals. Then, these animals were subdivided into two groups, according to the period with premature contact of 7 days (7D) and 14 days (14D). After euthanasia, the immunohistochemical analysis was performed by indirect immunoperoxidase method for β‐catenin expression, using diaminobenzidine for staining and hematoxylin for counter stain. From the head microCT scans of control and experimental groups, finite element models were created and the FEA was performed for both groups, considering the presence of premature contact in experimental group. In all analyses, the subchondral bone of condyle was analyzed in three regions (medial, central and lateral). The immunohistochemical analysis presented higher expression of β‐catenin in the lateral region in all groups as well as the bone strain in FEA. The experimental group presented higher β‐catenin expression 7D compared to control group. At 14D the β‐catenin expression the bone strain was similar to the control group. Thus, in conclusion, the β‐catenin expression can be associated to the strain sensitivity in the subchondral bone of the mandibular condyle. The premature contact increased the bone strain and the expression of β‐catenin in the subchondral bone.Support or Funding InformationBrazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (PNPD/CAPES).
Published Version
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