Abstract
Orthodontic treatment in animals is used to correct malocclusions. This can include teeth that are crooked or crowded, or jaws that do not meet appropriately causing an uneven bite. In veterinary medicine orthodontics is generally not done for aesthetic purposes, but to relieve pain, lessen periodontal disease, and prevent jaw problems or abnormal wear of the teeth.1-3 There are three types of orthodontics used: preventative, corrective and interceptive.3 In this case, a two-year-old male intact California sea lion was identified as having linguoversion of his mandibular canine teeth resulting in traumatic malocclusion of the lower canine teeth with the palate (Figures 1, 2). Corrective orthodontics was not elected due to the degree of periodontal disease present in this young animal, a contraindication for the use of active force movement.1,3 Positioning of the mandibular canines was such, it was theorized that extraction of the maxillary third incisors would create adequate space for the mandibular canine teeth and the intermittent forces of closing the mouth would result in bite correction and retention. Thus, interceptive orthodontics was elected. Following the extractions, closed root planing and complete prophylaxis was performed on the remaining teeth involved in an effort to control and reverse periodontal disease. The sea lion was prescribed doxycycline at 7.5 mg/kg q 12hours for seven weeks, then the dose was reduced to 1 mg/kg q 24 hours for an additional five weeks. Recheck examination revealed a corrected bite at four weeks post-extractions with marked improvement of periodontal disease (Figures 3, 4).
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the staff and trainers of the Navy Marine Mammal Program for their hard work surrounding the procedure and the ongoing care of the animals.
References
1. Holmstrom S, Frost P, Eisner E. Orthodontics. In: Veterinary Dental Techniques for the Small Animal Practitioner, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 2004; p 506–542.
2. Rice CA. Orthodontics Inclined Plane Laboratory. AVDC 24th Annual Conference Proceedings, San Antonio, TX. 2010; p1.
3. Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Basics of Orthodontics. In: Veterinary Dentistry Principles & Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven. 1997; p 435–479.