Ventral Transorbital Apicoectomy of the Maxillary Second and Third Molar Teeth in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus): 26 Cases

A common cause of teeth malocclusion and feeding disorders in guinea pigs is macrodontia and odontogenic abscesses. If the maxillary second or third molar teeth are affected, surgical access to them has so far been achieved through enucleation or orbital evisceration due to their location at the base of the orbit. The study aims to demonstrate a transorbital surgical approach to the apices of the maxillary molar teeth (M2 and M3) in guinea pigs, allowing preservation of the eye. Twenty six apicoectomies of maxillary M2 and M3 were performed. The surgical approach involved a skin incision above the zygomatic arch, followed by soft tissue dissection, incision of the orbital ligament, and gentle dorsolateral displacement of the eyeball. Blunt dissection between the lacrimal and zygomatic glands provided direct access to the affected tooth apices, which were removed using a dental bur. After the procedure, the soft tissues and the eye were repositioned and the skin was sutured. All animals recovered uneventfully. The described method may be applied in cases where it is necessary to perform maxillary second and/or last molar tooth apicoectomy while avoiding damage to the eyeball. Care must be taken to protect the corneal surface of the affected eye.