CT image following jaw reconstruction with a 3D printed titanium patient specific implant
UK First For Cutting-edge Jaw Reconstruction Surgery At Wiltshire Vets
6 years ago 
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A Wiltshire referral centre is believed to be the first in the UK to use a cutting-edge jaw reconstruction technique in dogs, using prosthetic titanium implants created on a 3D printer.
Eastcott Referrals, in Swindon, has carried out its first two reconstructions following oral tumour resection, both of which have proved successful.
Use of patient specific implants (PSI) for jaw reconstruction is a new technique, which provides an alternative to bone regenerative techniques which have previously been used with success at Eastcott.
The techniques can be used in cases which have had significant jaw resection or need reconstructive surgery after a trauma.
Eastcott, which is part of the Linnaeus Group, is unique in the UK in its level of dentistry expertise.
Its Dentistry and Oral Surgery team is led by Peter Southerden, a European Veterinary Specialist in Dentistry and an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry.
“To my knowledge, using this technique to create patient-specific implants for rostral mandibular reconstruction has not been done in dogs before,” said Mr Southerden.
“The reconstructive surgery involves taking pre and post-operative CT scans of the affected area and sending them to a specialist human medical PSI design company, which then uses 3D titanium printing technology to recreate the missing bone.
“In our first two cases, both dogs are doing really well. The feedback we’ve received from owners suggests their dogs have gained significant benefit from the jaw reconstruction process.”
Peter is one of three clinicians at Eastcott alongside Andrew Perry and resident Ingrid Tundo, with a second resident due to join in 2019.
The team caters for dentistry cases including periodontology, endodontics, orthodontics and restorative dentistry, similar to the care humans might receive, to complex cases including oral tumours, traumatic injuries and congenital issues such as cleft palates.
Mr Southerden said: “There aren’t many people with specialist qualifications in this field, possibly only six in the UK and we are the only team working with the backup of a multi-disciplinary referral hospital.
“Having a team of three, soon to be four, is unusual and means we have a big caseload and see a wide range of different cases. We are very keen on developing new techniques such the ones we have already introduced.”
For more information about Eastcott Referrals, visit www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk.
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