[Changes of masticatory muscles after occlusal recovery in rats with unilateral chew].
To study the effect of occlusal recovery on masticatory muscles in rats with unilateral chew. 40 white rats were divided into two experimental groups and two control groups. The right upper and lower posterior teeth of all the rats were ground to the gingival level without occlusal contact. The rats of the first experimental and control group were killed 10 weeks late,those of the second groups were killed 16 weeks late. The pathological changes of masticatory muscles were studied. SPSS 10.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. There was significant correlation between the first experimental group and control group in the damage of masticatory muscles (Chi(2)=40, P<0.01). However,there was no significant correlation between the second experimental group and control group in the damage of masticatory muscles (Chi(2)=3.66, P>0.05). Early occlusal recovery can rehabilitate the damage of masticatory muscles in rats with unilateral chew.