The dog as an instruction model for surgical correction of mandibular prognathism

Intraoral sagittal splitting of the mandible in dogs is an instructional exercise for correction of prognathism. The dog was selected as a surgical model for several reasons including the ability of this species to open the mouth widely. Comparative anatomical features of the mandibles of man and dog suggest that a sagittal splitting technique practiced in dogs may give expertise that would avoid complications, such as cutting vessels and nerves in humans. In addition, the dog should be carefully considered as a model for long-term study of surgical complications and of the effects of surgery on mandibular growth in young patients.