Mandibular condylectomy in the guinea pig: quantitative triple fluorochrome study.

Different-colored fluorochromes were administered sequentially to guinea pigs and the rate of bone formation measured in their condylectomized control contralateral hemimandibles. The values for labeled bone for condylectomized hemimandibles were lower than for the control contralateral hemimandibles of the same guinea pig. The differences in values of condylectomized and control contralateral sides for DCTC- and total surface area-labeled bone were statistically significant, but were not statistically significant for DCAF- and hematoporphyrin-labeled bone. There was partial regeneration of the condylar process. Although the condylectomized area was nearly normal in shape, its size and proportions were different from those of the contralateral hemimandibles that were not operated on. The greatest differences were noted in the length, height, and the distances measured between the inferior alveolar foramen and the mental foramen and the posterior border of the condyle.