RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to find out whether the unilateral distraction of mandible has an influence on temporomandibular joint and if it does, how significant the influence is. Four beagle dogs were used in this study. Each dog had two implants placed into the left mandible. The mandible was distracted for 14days with an distraction device as an amount of 0.75mm, twice per day after osteotomy between two implants. Each animals were sacrificed at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth week after the total distraction amount of 10.5mm were gotten. Upon embedding and staining, the specimens were evaluated with a light microscope. The results were as follows. 1. For the second week group, the articular cartilage and osteoid seam of temporal bone and condyle were relatively well maintained. There were not any significant differences between distraction side and non distraction side. 2. For the fourth week group, the periosteal reaction was activated and the articular cartilage and osteoid seam of temporal bone and condyle were severely thickened-especially at posterior portion of distraction side. This findings revealed that the unilateral distraction forces has more influence on distraction side than on non distraction side, and on posterior portion than on anterior portion. 3. For the sixth and eighth week group, the thickness of meniscus in distraction side gradually recovered to the initial level. The thickened articular cartilage and osteoid seam of temporal bone and condyle were decreased in distraction side and showed relatively stable in non distraction side. From this results, we suggest that several considerations are required such as using an occlusal splint, maintaining the stability of bone distraction device and evaluating bone distraction rate to minimize the damages of temporomandibular joint tissues in early stage of distraction side.