title: Mandibular osteodistraction for correction of deep bite class II malocclusion in a horse.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Equine and Small Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Liege, Liege, Belgium. Denis.verwilghen@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verwilghen
authors.forename: Gaby
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Galen
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanderheyden
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Busoni
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salciccia
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balligand
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serteyn
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grulke
mesh_terms: 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