Dr. Georgia Kotantoula received her dental education at Charles University in Prague and her orthodontic training at the Hebrew University-Department of Orthodontics in Jerusalem,
where she also completed a Master’s of Science course.
She has been in private practice of orthodontics in Athens and Nafpaktos, Greece.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in orthodontics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
In addition, she serves as a clinical instructor at the Department of Orthodontics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
She is also a research associate at the Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research Laboratory
“N.S. Christeas” of the Medical School at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Board Member of the Greek Orthodontic Society.
Dr. Georgia Kotantoula
Bio
Abstract
The Effect of Unilateral Masseter Muscle Resection on Mandibular Growth in Growing
Rats: A CBCT Analysis
Aim: The study aimed to assess the influence of a soft versus hard food diet on mandibular
growth in growing rats undergoing unilateral masseter muscle resection.
Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats, aged six weeks, were randomly
assigned to either the control or experimental group, with each group further divided into
subgroups based on diet. The experimental group underwent unilateral resection of the
masseter muscle, while the control group remained unoperated and categorized based on
diet. All animals were sacrificed at the 10th week, and growth and morphological changes
were assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.
Results: The study uncovered significant differences in anteroposterior dimensions between
the experimental and control groups. Specifically, on the experimental side, where masseter
muscle resection was performed, a substantial difference in vertical mandibular and ramus
height was noticed (p < 0.005). Mandibular body length and total mandibular length were shorter in the experimental group than in the control group, regardless of diet (p< 0.005).
Conclusions: Unilateral masseter muscle resection in growing rats significantly impaired
mandibular growth, reducing vertical and total mandibular dimensions. The understanding
of bone growth mechanisms due to different muscular loading may facilitate in the
development of effective therapeutic strategies for patients who are experiencing muscle
atrophy or asymmetry.
