SURGICAL-CORRECTION FOR MALOCCLUSION

Malocclusion of the permanent canine teeth caused by prolonged retenti on of deciduous canines was corrected surgically in 41 young dogs. The surgery involved an immediate tipping movement using a dental elevato r to move the permanent canine with its immature root into proper alig nment after extraction of the retained deciduous canine. After realign ment of the permanent tooth, it was fixed by driving a wedge made from the root of the extracted deciduous tooth into the alveolar cavity of the permanent canine. As a result of these corrective procedures, imp rovement was achieved in most dogs. Surgical correction was successful in 100 of 103 sites (97.1%). Ninety-four sites (91.3%) required a sim ple operation (i.e., a single, immediate tipping movement and wedge fi xation only once). Six sites needed second surgery and/or resection of part of the alveolar bone and/or external fixation. At three sites, t he treatment failed because of early wedge loss within the first week.