Objective: To evaluate the effects of unilateral and bilateral premature loss of posterior occlusal support on mandibular bone dimensions in growing rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats (5 weeks old) were randomized into three groups: control, unilateral mandibular molar teeth extraction, and bilateral mandibular molar teeth extraction. After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed and acrylic rapid-prototyped templates of the mandibles were constructed. Mandibular length, ramus height, intercondylar distance, and body weight were measured and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (Tukey test as post hoc test; a 5 .05). Results: Mandibular length and intercondylar distance were significantly shorter in experimental animals, while no difference was observed for ramus height and body weight. Conclusions: Unilateral and bilateral premature loss of posterior occlusal support in growing rats results in a smaller mandible at skeletal maturity. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:242-246.)

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in mandibular growth between growing rats with posterior functional mandibular displacement and growing rats without functional mandibular displacement. Materials and Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats (5 weeks old) were randomized into two groups: (1) control and (2) mandible posterior displacement in the occluded condition induced by an occlusal guiding appliance. After 8 weeks all animals were sacrificed, cone beam computed tomography scan images of the heads were taken using the classic I-CAT, and acrylic rapidprototyped templates of the mandibles were constructed. Mandibular length, ramus height, and intercondylar distance were measured. Mandibular length and ramus height were submitted to the two-way analysis of variance, while intercondylar distance was analyzed by nonpaired Student's t-test. Results: Mandibular length was bigger (P , .0001) in the control than in the experimental group, but no significant difference was found between the left and right sides (P 5 .9380). No significant differences were observed for ramus height and intercondylar distance. Conclusions:The results of this study demonstrated that functional posterior displacement of the mandible in growing rats resulted in shorter mandibular length. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:3-7.)

INTRODUÇÃO: Encontram-se descritas na literatura várias técnicas para moldagem da máscara facial com o intuito de obtenção de modelos para confecção de próteses bucomaxilofaciais. OBJETIVO: Este artigo tem como objetivo relatar duas técnicas de moldagem, a técnica convencional e a técnica convencional modificada, ressaltando suas vantagens e desvantagens. TÉCNICA: A primeira técnica consiste na deposição do material de moldagem na região de interesse e, posteriormente, na adição da camada de reforço com gesso tipo II. A modificação da técnica convencional inicia‑se com a realização de um alívio com algodão nos tecidos faciais a serem moldados, a aplicação de uma camada de gesso tipo II para a construção prévia da camada de reforço e, após sua cristalização, a aplicação do material de moldagem sobre a área a ser moldada, seguida de sua contenção por meio da máscara de gesso. CONCLUSÃO: A escolha da técnica de moldagem e dos materiais utilizados dependerá da habilidade do profissional. O importante é realizar uma moldagem que produza um modelo facial sem distorções para o sucesso da prótese.

Loss of posterior occlusal support alters the expression of type II collagen, interleukin-1β and VEGF in the condylar cartilage of rats. The expression pattern of these proteins is different when loss of occlusal support was bilateral or unilateral, including differences between extracted and non-extracted sides.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and the association with stress and anxiety among university students. Material and Methods: The Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Trait-State Anxiety Inventory (IDATE) and LIPP Stress Symptom Inventory (LIPP) were applied for 714 voluntaries. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyzes were performed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and the Student's t-test or ANOVA, significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of TMD was 68.63%, 46.9% had mild TMD. There was a statistically significant difference between the means of age and the severity of the TMD, higher mean values for severe TMD (22.5 ± 3.3 years). There was a statistically significant association between the female and TMD, higher prevalence of mild TMD. Among the volunteers diagnosed with TMD, a significant number were diagnosed without stress, but there was a statistically significant association between those diagnosed with stress and mild TMD, anxiety and TMD, (state: moderate anxiety and DTM - 50%; trait: moderate and severe anxiety and mild DTM - 49.3% and 49.87%, respectively). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms, with higher prevalence in the female gender, mild TMD was more significant, and anxiety and stress were significantly present among university students with TMD signs and symptoms.KeywordsTemporomandibular disorder; Anxiety; Psychological stress.