Acrylic bite plane for treatment of malocclusion in a young horse.

The paper presents a case study of using an acrylic bite plane to treat malocclusion in a 5-month-old quarter horse filly with a congenital overbite. Although full normal occlusion was not achieved, the treatment did limit the malocclusion and enabled partial incisor occlusion after 20 months.

Description of the Clinical Case

• The case study presents a 5-month-old quarter horse filly that suffered from a congenital overbite. The condition was diagnosed as class 2 malocclusion, which indicates a misalignment of teeth or an incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches.
• The researchers built a non-removable, acrylic bite plane for the horse. A bite plane is a device that can be positioned in a patient’s mouth to change the alignment of the jaw, and in turn, the position of the teeth.
• The purpose of the acrylic bite plane was to create a surface for the occlusal forces, which are the forces placed on the teeth when the jaw is closed or moving, to be directed in a manner maintaining the normal anatomic position of the premaxilla – the front part of the upper jaw.

Outcome and Recommendations

• Following the treatment with the bite plane, the horse’s mandible, or lower jawbone, was able to move freely and its growth potential was maximized. This limited the malocclusion and restored some extent of normalcy to the horse’s mouth.
• After 20 months from the start of the treatment, the researchers found that while full normal occlusion was not reached, partial incisor occlusion was present. This signifies that the incisors, or the front teeth, could partially meet when the horse’s jaws were closed, which is an improvement from the initial state of malocclusion.
• The researchers conclude by recommending regular occlusal equilibration for optimal occlusion and to minimize future complications associated with malocclusion. Occlusal equilibration is a dental procedure that adjusts the contacts between teeth for the most ideal relationship between and within the jaws.