Treatment of class 2 malocclusion by corrective osteotomy using two short locking compression plates

Area of Science:

• Veterinary surgery
• Equine dentistry
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Class 2 malocclusions are common in horses, characterized by overjet and/or overbite.
• Traditional surgical treatments can be invasive and carry risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel symphyseal osteotomy technique stabilized with two short locking compression plates (LCPs) for correcting class 2 malocclusions in horses.
• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of this surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving five horses with varying degrees of class 2 malocclusion.
• Surgical procedure involved osteotomy of the caudal third of the mandibular symphysis, followed by cranial distraction and ventral rotation of the mandible.
• Stabilization was achieved using two short (5/6 hole), bent 3.5 mm LCPs secured with locking screws.

Main Results:

• Good to excellent final outcomes were achieved in the treated horses.
• The osteotomy gap bridged within 2 to 6.5 months.
• The technique is technically demanding, requiring careful attention to incisor alignment and occlusion.

Conclusions:

• Symphyseal osteotomy stabilized with LCPs is a viable technique for correcting class 2 malocclusions in horses.
• This approach offers adequate stability, is less invasive than other methods, and preserves important anatomical structures.
• Further studies with larger, more homogeneous populations are recommended for definitive assessment.