Wire Reinforced Acrylic Splint for Jaw Fracture Repair in a Dog with Edentulous Caudal Mandible.

This is the dog with left mandibular fracture previously repaired with titanium mesh.  Three days after the repair the other jaw suffered a pathologic fracture.  It was also severely compromised from chronic periodontal disease.  Repair was accomplished with a combination of wire, orthodontic chain, composite buttons and acrylic.  Wire was passed under the body of the mandible and through the mucosa then tied and wires bent.  Two wires on either side of the fractures on both the right and left mandible.  Composite buttons were made using a silicone mold on the mandibular canines.  Orthodontic massel chain was then attached to all wires and around the canine buttons to form a horseshoe orientation.   Acrylic was added in increments while fracture ends were approximated.  This relatively non-invasive approach avoids complications with plates commonly associated with pathologic mandibular fractures where bone density is severely compromised.  Four days postop the patient is eating well and pain is well controlled.

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
Dentistry Courses
Radiographic Postioning Book
Facebook