Mandibular osteodistraction for correction of deep bite class II malocclusion in a horse.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique for, and outcome after, mandibular osteodistraction in the horse.


METHODS
Clinical report.


METHODS
Warmblood horse.


METHODS
A half ring external fixator was applied on both sides of an osteotomy site performed on the mandible of a colt. A bite plate was placed on the upper incisors creating occlusion between lower and upper jaw. After a 5-day latency period, distraction was applied (1 mm/day) until the overjet was judged normal.


RESULTS
Mandibular elongation and correction of brachygnathia was obtained without major complications. Six months after the procedure the overjet reduction was considered stable.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular osteodistraction can be considered for treatment of severe brachygnathia in yearlings.


CONCLUSIONS
Distraction osteogenesis has the advantage of progressive elongation of the mandible, allowing concurrent bone remodeling and soft tissue adaptation. Severe mandibular incisor malocclusion in horses outside the maximal growth phase can be corrected using this technique.
Verwilghen
Denis
D
Equine and Small Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Liege, Liege, Belgium. Denis.verwilghen@ulg.ac.be
Van Galen
Gaby
G
Vanderheyden
Laurent
L
Busoni
Valeria
V
Salciccia
Alexandra
A
Balligand
Marc
M
Serteyn
Didier
D
Grulke
Sigrid
S
D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome