Topic:Dental Health
Dental health in horses encompasses the study of the structure, function, and maintenance of equine teeth and oral tissues. It involves understanding the anatomy of horse teeth, which are adapted for grinding fibrous plant material, and the common dental issues that can arise, such as malocclusions, sharp enamel points, and periodontal disease. Regular dental examinations and treatments are essential for ensuring proper mastication and overall well-being. This topic covers the research and findings related to equine dental anatomy, common dental pathologies, and the impact of dental health on nutrition and performance. The collection includes peer-reviewed studies and scholarly articles that explore diagnostic techniques, treatment strategies, and preventive care practices in equine dentistry.
Periodontal biomechanics: finite element simulations of closing stroke and power stroke in equine cheek teeth. In equine dentistry periodontal diseases, especially periapical inflammation, are frequently occurring problems. Anachoresis is believed to be the most common cause for the development of such disorders. Nevertheless, there is still no substantiated explanation why settlement of pathogen microorganisms occurs in equine periodontal tissues. It is expected that excessive strains and stresses occurring in the periodontal ligament (PDL) during the horse's chewing cycle might be a predisposing factor. In this study this assumption was examined by finite element (FE) analyses on virtual 3-D models o...
Prevalence and some clinical characteristics of equine cheek teeth diastemata in 471 horses examined in a UK first-opinion equine practice (2008 to 2009). Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are now recognised as a clinically significant equine disorder, but their prevalence in the general equine population is unknown. There is also limited information on the signalment of affected horses; the more commonly affected Triadan sites; and the shape and clinical characteristics of CT diastemata. During the 12-month study period (2008 to 2009), standardised records were obtained during routine dental examinations performed by five veterinarians in a first-opinion equine practice. Cheek teeth diastemata were identified in 49.9 per cent of all horses (n=471) of...
Histopathological lesions associated with equine periodontal disease. Equine periodontal disease (EPD) is a common and painful condition, the aetiology and pathology of which are poorly understood. To characterise the histopathological lesions associated with EPD, the skulls of 22 horses were assessed grossly for the presence of periodontal disease, and a standard set of interdental tissues taken from each for histopathological examination. Histological features of EPD included ulceration and neutrophilic inflammation of the gingival epithelium. Mononuclear and eosinophilic inflammation of the gingival lamina propria and submucosa was commonly present irrespecti...
Finite element analysis in 3-D models of equine cheek teeth. Periodontal diseases occur frequently in equine dentistry and excessive strain in biological tissues is assumed to be a predisposing factor in their development. Finite element (FE) analysis enables strains and stresses occurring in the periodontium to be calculated and is a useful tool for testing this hypothesis. The current study aimed to establish reliable 3-D models from equine maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth for use in FE simulations, with particular attention to the detailed construction of the periodontal ligament (PDL). Age-related morphological aspects of the teeth and the perio...
Equine wellness care in ambulatory practice. Clients want dependable veterinary care and to understand how the services will benefit and meet their horse’s needs. Wellness visits provide ambulatory practitioners with great opportunities to strengthen the doctor-client-patient bond; effective communication with clients during wellness visits, where new literature or facts can be presented, can offer opportunities for demonstrating the value of having the veterinarian maintain a primary role in disease control. The criteria for selecting vaccines, interpreting FECs, and diagnosing dental pathology require the continued need for veterinar...
Examination of the depth of the equine hard palate. Equine behavioral problems and loss of optimum performance have been associated with musculoskeletal injury and, more recently, dental disease. Injuries to a horse's tongue and bars of the mandible due to bitting have been documented. However, another point of contact of the bit, the hard palate, has thus far been virtually ignored. The objective of the study was to determine if there was a significant range associated with the depth of the equine hard palate and if this range was associated with a certain breed, age, or sex of the horse. Oral examinations were performed on 52 horses and a mea...
Essential considerations for equine oral examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Equine dentistry should no longer be thought of as art over science. To be an effective equine dental clinician requires considerable investment in knowledge beyond the basic veterinary degree. It requires current scientific dental knowledge and adherence to the fundamental principles of medicine, dentistry, and surgery. Knowledge and principles will provide clinicians with the necessary information to make more evidence-based decisions as the scientific literature continues to evolve. Diagnosis and therapy should be seen as journeys with a destination, keeping in mind the values of the Hippoc...
A study of sub-occlusal secondary dentine thickness in overgrown equine cheek teeth. The presence of cheek tooth loss or defects, with subsequent overgrowth of the opposing teeth, is common in horses. Little is known about the factors that control the deposition of sub-occlusal secondary dentine (SO2D) in normal equine teeth, but these are likely to include stimulation of the occlusal surface. There appears to be no information on the possible alterations to this process when teeth develop overgrowths and, consequently, of the net effect on SO2D thickness caused by reduced stimulation of the occlusal surface and of absent/reduced normal occlusal wear (attrition). Knowledge of ...
Effect of dental correction on voluntary hay intake, apparent digestibility of feed and faecal particle size in horse. In nine adult Warmblood horses with mild to moderate dental findings (no signs of discomfort during chewing), voluntary hay intake before and after dental correction was examined. In a second experiment, digestibility of feed and faecal particle size were determined (3 days of total faecal collection) before and after dental correction. During both digestion trials including a 3-day adaptation period, the amount of hay and concentrate (mixture of oats, barley and maize) was kept constant in each individual horse before and after dental correction. Voluntary hay intake in individual horses ra...
Isolation and characterization of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from the gingiva and the periodontal ligament of the horse. The equine periodontium provides tooth support and lifelong tooth eruption on a remarkable scale. These functions require continuous tissue remodeling. It is assumed that multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) reside in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and play a crucial role in regulating physiological periodontal tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize equine periodontal MSC. Tissue samples were obtained from four healthy horses. Primary cell populations were harvested and cultured from the gingiva, from three horizontal levels of the PDL (apical, midtoo...
Advances in equine dentistry: 2009 and 2010. The research article primarily discusses recent advancements in equine dentistry between 2009 and 2010. The author observes the significant strides made in the field despite previously lacking evidence-based validation for […]
Disease prevalence in geriatric horses in the United Kingdom: veterinary clinical assessment of 200 cases. Geriatric horses (aged ≥ 15 years) represent a substantial proportion of the equine population, yet few studies have investigated the prevalence of diseases within this population in the UK. Objective: To describe the findings of veterinary clinical examination of 200 geriatric horses and ponies in north west England and north Wales, and to assess the effect of animal age and type (horse or pony) on the presence or absence of clinical signs and veterinary diagnosed health problems. Methods: From responses to a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of owners of geriatric horses (n = 918...
An anatomical study to evaluate the risk of pulpar exposure during mechanical widening of equine cheek teeth diastemata and ‘bit seating’. Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are a major equine dental disorder that can be treated by mechanically widening the diastemata. There is limited anatomical knowledge of the spatial relationships of the individual pulps to the adjacent interproximal surfaces; on the risks of exposing the 6th pulp horn when performing the clinically unproven 'bit seating' procedure on Triadan 06s. Objective: To describe the anatomical relationships between the occlusal and interproximal surfaces of CT and the adjacent pulp horns; and between the 6th pulp horn and the occlusal and rostral surfaces of Triadan 06s. Met...
Extraction of fractured cheek teeth under oral endoscopic guidance in standing horses. To evaluate a technique for oral extraction of fractured cheek teeth (CT) under oral endoscopic guidance. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 30) with fractured CT. Methods: Medical records (April 2007-August 2010) of horses that had standing oral extraction of fractured CT under endoscopic guidance were reviewed. Results: Thirty horses (median age, 11.5 years; range, 5-23 years) had 31 fractured CT (21 maxillary, 10 mandibular) removed. Midline sagittal fractures of maxillary teeth (n = 13; 42%) were the most common type, followed by buccal or palatal (10; 32%), and transverse or multi...
Repulsion of maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth in standing horses. To report the technique and results of cheek teeth repulsion in standing, sedated horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 12), ponies (6). Methods: Medical records (2006-2009) of horses that had cheek tooth repulsion while standing were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: maxillary or mandibular cheek tooth disease diagnosed by clinical and radiographic examination where attempted oral extraction failed necessitating repulsion. Horses were sedated and a local nerve block performed. Intraoperative radiographs facilitated instrument positioning and ensured repulsion of all dental r...
Dietary change and evolution of horses in North America. The evolution of high-crowned molars among horses (Family Equidae) is thought to be an adaptation for abrasive diets associated with the spread of grasslands. The sharpness and relief of the worn cusp apices of teeth (mesowear) are a measure of dietary abrasion. We collected mesowear data for North American Equidae for the past 55.5 million years to test the association of molar height and dietary abrasion. Mesowear trends in horses are reflective of global cooling and associated vegetation changes. There is a strong correlation between mesowear and crown height in horses; however, most horse ...
A case of facial deformity due to bilateral developmental maxillary cheek teeth displacement in an adult horse. A 7-year-old mare presented with facial deformities associated with oral discomfort and weight loss was found to have bilateral, palatal, developmental displacements of the maxillary 08s, with secondary diastema. Following repulsion of both displaced teeth, the horse regained weight and resumed training. Bony deformities remained visible 9 mo after discharge. Une jument de 7 ans présentée avec des déformations faciales associées à de l’inconfort oral et à une perte de poids a montré, après examen, des déplacements développementaux, bilatéraux, du coté palatal des 4 prémolaires ...
Bilateral iatrogenic [corrected] maxillary fractures after dental treatment in two aged horses. This clinical report describes two horses with bilateral maxillary fractures following dental treatment. The fractures occurred during dental treatment by a veterinarian, and both had rostral, transverse, and complete bilateral maxillary fractures with instability and minimal displacement. The fractures were repaired using bilateral intraoral wiring with the patients under general anesthesia. The postoperative period was without complications and the fractures healed as expected. Maxillary fractures during or after routine dental treatment are rare, but can occur, especially in older horses. A...
Periodontal regeneration capacity of equine particulate bone in canine alveolar bone defects. This study was performed to evaluate the periodontal wound healing effect of particulate equine bone mineral on canine alveolar bone defects. Methods: Twelve adult male beagle dogs were used as study subjects. The mandibular second and fourth premolars were extracted prior to the experimental surgery, and the extraction sites were allowed to heal for 8 weeks. After periodontal probing, two-walled defects were created at the mesial and distal sides of the mandibular third premolars bilaterally, and the defects were filled with equine particulate bone with collagen membrane or bovine particulate...
Kinematic analysis of equine masticatory movements: comparison before and after routine dental treatment. The objective of this study was to compare masticatory movements before and after dental treatment using kinematic analysis. The masticatory movements of 15 adult Warmblood horses with mild dental pathology chewing standardised hay were recorded on three consecutive days before and three times after (days 7, 21, 28) dental correction. The results of the leading mandibular tracking marker, located at the caudal edge of the inter-mandibular suture, were compared statistically. Reproducibility of measurements prior to dental treatment was excellent (P<0.05). Rostrocaudal mandibular motion was ...
The incidence and distribution of peripheral caries in the cheek teeth of horses and its association with diastemata and gingival recession. Although considered relatively common in horses, there is little information on the prevalence, distribution and aetiology of peripheral caries of the equine cheek teeth (CT). The objective of this study was to investigate a possible association between this lesion and diastemata or 'gaps' between the CT which facilitate the entrapment of food material. Video recordings of oroscopic examinations of all dental cases at an equine hospital over a 3-year period were reviewed, and the location of all diastemata, peripheral caries, trapped food, and of gingival recession were recorded. A total of 10...
A comparison of the occurrence of common dental abnormalities in stabled and free-grazing horses. The purpose of this study was to gain evidence on the prevalence of dental abnormalities in stable-kept horses in comparison with free-living horses. It is expected that free-living horses that graze for as much as 16 h/day will have fewer dental abnormalities than stable-kept horses. In this study, the latter group was fed a diet that was based on a relatively high-energy, cereal-based feed. This was thought to be a representative of common practice in domesticated, stable-kept horses. Compound diets such as this have previously been shown to increase the frequency of chewing cycles and decre...
Extraction of cheek teeth using a lateral buccotomy approach in 114 horses (1999-2009). There are few published data regarding the success rates of cheek tooth (CT) removal by lateral buccotomy in the horse. Objective: A retrospective study of 114 horses admitted to 2 private equine referral hospitals over a 10 year period (1999-2009), which underwent CT removal via a lateral buccotomy. Methods: Hospital records were analysed and details including case details, presenting complaint and results of all diagnostic tests and surgical reports were documented. Information obtained during post operative reassessment was also available for analysis. Long-term follow-up information (>2 mo...
Removal of 11 incompletely erupted, impacted cheek teeth in 10 horses using a dental alveolar transcortical osteotomy and buccotomy approach. To describe surgical technique and outcome in 10 horses with impacted cheek teeth that were removed by a transcortical osteotomy and buccotomy technique. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=10) with impacted cheek teeth. Methods: Medical records (2002-2008) of horses with impacted cheek teeth requiring removal were reviewed; surgical technique and outcome were determined. Results: Exodontia of 11 cheek teeth was performed surgically in 10 horses; 3 horses had complications (residual swelling of the mandible) that resolved and all horses returned to their previous use. Conclusions: Transco...