Anabolic steroid abuse and tooth size-arch dimensions in the rat.

Anabolic steroids are misused by adolescents and adults to increase muscle mass and improve appearance and athletic performance. Since anabolics strongly enhance protein synthesis, it was speculated that alterations in tooth size and arch length could occur. This study quantified the effects of the anabolic steroid nandrolone phenpropionate on these parameters in a rat model. The steroid significantly increased mandibular arch length. No difference in mesiodistal dimensions of the molars occurred. In consequence, the increased arch dimensions combined with unaltered tooth size may result in dental spacing and/or other malocclusions.