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anatomie@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
Introduction The Göttingen Minipig™ is a frequently used large animal model for orofacial research, in particular for dental implant surgery. Requests from experimental surgeons for detailed anatomical information is unavailable, because the data required does not exist. Thus, surgical interventions fail or lead to post-operative suffering. The aim of this study is to obtain detailed anatomical data of the mandibula without sacrificing pigs for this reason. Animals, materials and methods CT scans of a 64-slice scanner were collected from 18 female minipigs, consisting of 6 animals aged 12 months (group 1, n = 6) and 12 animals (group 2 n = 12) examined at the age of 17 and 21 months. These minipigs were involved in experiments, approved by the Regional Office for Health and Social affairs, Berlin. Image analysis was performed using Vitrea Advanced® (Vital images). More than 50 parameters concerning teeth, the mandibular body, frame and canal, coronoid process and mandibular condyle were defined and measured. For example, we focused on the distance between the dorsal border of the mandibular canal to the alveolar ridge at the most posterior mental foramen, a parameter immensely important testing new dental implants. Results Measurements of the CTs of the minipigs mandibles’ demonstrate variations of several parameters between left and right ramus mandibulae and within the different age groups. The distance between the dorsal border of the mandibular canal to the alveolar ridge decreases between 12 and 17 months of age. Comparing group 2 and group 3 no significant difference in distance could be observed. From the age of 17 months the position of the mandibular canal in relation to the alveolar ridge remains constant. Conclusion The decrease of the distance between the mandibular canal and the alveolar ridge between 12 and 17 months of age indicates ongoing anatomical changes of this parameter until the age of 17 months. Therefore animals should be older than 17 months if included in long-term studies after orofacial operations, like implant surgery of the mandibula.