Bilateral iatrogenic [corrected] maxillary fractures after dental treatment in two aged horses

This clinical report describes two horses with bilateral maxillary fractures following dental treatment. The fractures occurred during dental treatment by a veterinarian, and both had rostral, transverse, and complete bilateral maxillary fractures with instability and minimal displacement. The fractures were repaired using bilateral intraoral wiring with the patients under general anesthesia. The postoperative period was without complications and the fractures healed as expected. Maxillary fractures during or after routine dental treatment are rare, but can occur, especially in older horses. Appropriate sedation and, if necessary, regional nerve blocks might reduce the risk of iatrogenic fractures of the maxilla. General anesthesia must be considered for tooth extraction in horses that are difficult to restrain.