The use of carrageenan for limiting the mandibular movement in rats: A preliminary experimental study

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate if the carrageenan may be used for limiting the mandibular movement. Material and Methods: Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were used for the research, 20 µl of carrageenan (4%) was infiltrated in the extra articular region, in front of the condyle to induce fibrosis. The rats were divided into groups according to the time of euthanasia (7, 15 and 30 days). Maximal mouth opening (MMO), mandibular deviation, initial and final weights were recorded and evaluated. After the euthanasia, the specimens were submitted to histological study in order to classify the inflammatory process using scores. Results: The mean differences between initial an…