Thermoplastic Inclined Plane Aligner for Correction of Bilateral Mandibular Canine Tooth Distoclusion in a Cat

Abstract

Mandibular brachygnathia was the etiology for moderate mandibular distoclusion and bilateral palatal canine cusp penetrations in a kitten. The course of treatment included deciduous canine tooth exodontia, tooth extensions, and ultimately, aligners that incorporated inclined planes fabricated from a thermoplastic sheet that was "indirectly" vacuum thermoformed over a dental model. The thin, flexible aligners fit over the rostral maxillary teeth and palate, and were retained by a snug fit on the slightly divergent maxillary canine teeth. Advantages over "directly" applied composite inclined planes include: serial gradations of angulations for more gradual tooth movement, elimination of dental trauma from composite adhesions and removals, owner-removable and cleanable appliances, and a single anesthetic event required for dental impressions. Five progressively angled aligners were used sequentially over a 3-month period to achieve atraumatic "clinical" neutroclusion of the rostral dentition.