Geometric properties of mandible in sheep, goat, and rabbit

The new surgical methods and materials are generally tested in animal models before clinical use in human beings. Therefore, it is significant to understand the morphological and morphometric properties of the mandible in terms of the success of the experimental applications in animal models. The aim of the study is to present the morphological data on the geometric characteristics of the mandible for the purpose of developing a database in rabbit, sheep, and goat used as the animal model. In this study, the mandibles of 12 rabbits, 10 goats and 6 sheep were used. The values of length, height, angles of the mandible and the measurements indicating the location of the mental foramen and the mandibular foramen were taken from mediolateral radiographic projections of the mandibles. Cortical thickness, inner and outer diameter widths were measured in the level of the mental foramen, first premolar tooth, and last molar tooth using the cross-sections obtained by computed tomography of the mandibles. In addition, the measurements of caput mandible were taken from three-dimensional models. In the current study, the radiographic, the cross-sectional and three-dimensional images were evalşuated and important morphological findings were presented related to oral and maxillofacial surgery applications. In addition, the mandibular canal was found to be the shortest and narrowest in the rabbit. The surrounding cortical tissue is also thin compared to other animals used in the study. In the rabbit, the region of Ramus mandibulae is not very suitable for screw etc. applications because of its very poor bone structure. In sheep and goats, this region is more suitable for such applications because it contains thicker cortical bone and more trabecular structure. Although the diastema region seems to be more suitable for investigations such as experimental distraction osteogenesis, bone defect, plate, screw type, the presence of incisive teeth roots in rabbits and mandibular canal in sheep and goats should be taken into consideration by researchers. Consequently, based on the morphological and morphometric findings of this study, the new methods, materials and their sizes may be planned for an experimental surgical procedure in these animal species. Therefore, higher success and reliable results may be achieved in such research and animal welfare may also be increased