Symphysiotomy, symphysiectomy, and intermandibular arthrodesis in a cat with open-mouth jaw locking--case report and literature review

Abstract

A Persian cat was presented with open-mouth jaw locking. It was suspected that abnormal extrusion of the maxillary canine teeth caused contact with the mandibular canine teeth on closure of the mouth, resulting in levering forces that may have led to increased symphyseal mobility, temporomandibular joint laxity, rotational movement of the left mandibular body and locking of the left coronoid process lateral to the zygomatic arch. Symphysiotomy, symphysiectomy, circumferential and interdental wiring, and intraoral resin-based splint application were performed to achieve intermandibular arthrodesis. Following removal of all devices, no further jaw locking episodes were reported during a 33-month follow-up period.