The effect of dental occlusal disturbances on the curvature of the vertebral spine in rats.

Objective: To determine whether a unilateral increase or decrease in the bite affects the curvatures of the vertebral spine in rats.
Methods: 25 male Sprague Dawley rats were included. Five animals received no alteration on their bite. Bite was increased on 10 animals and molar teeth were extracted on 10 other animals. Frontal and lateral radiographs were taken on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Distances from landmarks to a true vertical line were measured on both radiographs.
Results: Repeated measures analysis showed statistically significant differences between the amount of the curvature at the cervical and thoracic spines on frontal and lateral radiographs over time (P<0.05 and P<0.0001). One-way ANOVA computed significant differences (P<0.05) at D14 at the cervical and thoracic spines on both, increased and decreased vertical dimension.
Conclusion: Alterations in the dental occlusion affects the normal curvatures of the vertebral spine in rats.