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  Discussion on Research Summary: Outcome of correcting incisor misalignment
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DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 10, 2007 - 10:31 am:

Correcting diagonal incisor misalignments (unlevel where the teeth meet across the front) has become a standard procedure in equine dentistry with the idea it improves molar contact. Here they evaluate this assumption and it is not all positive. Some cases that do not respond to the procedure with improved mastication as measured by increased amount of molar contact. The bottom line seems to be: small corrections done early in the process work best but in advanced cases an improved molar contact can be hard to predict do to other problems and compensatory wear that has occurred. For more on this see the Unlevel Incisor subtopic in the article "Equine Dentistry".
DrO

J Vet Dent. 2007 Sep;24(3):145-9.
A retrospective evaluation of 204 diagonal incisor malocclusion corrections in the horse.
DeLorey MS.
Northwest Equine Dentistry, Inc., Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA. nwequinedentist@earthlink.net

The goal of this retrospective study was to record the direction of the diagonal incisor malocclusion (DIM) and excursion to molar contact (EMC) distances both before and after corrective procedures to determine if any general trends were apparent which may aid in predicting the outcome of DIM corrections. Pre-correction and post-correction data were compared to confirm a benefit to the patient from the corrective procedure. The results of this preliminary study reveal a few general trends to serve as basic guidelines for the practitioner Lateral EMC distances to the left and right in cases of DIM are commonly asymmetric. When prudently performed, corrective measures usually result in increased symmetry of EMCs. In cases of DIM, the side with the shorter EMC is more likely to remain the same rather than change after DIM correction. Decreases of EMC in one or both directions are much more common than increases in EMC after correction. In 100-300 quadrant Dims, the EMC to the right will most likely decrease and in 200-400 quadrant Dims, the EMC to the left will most likely decrease. Despite these helpful findings, the data obtained from this study strongly suggest the existence of multiple etiologies and progressive compensatory mechanisms complicating precise prediction of correction outcome.
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