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.
Equine peripheral dental caries: An epidemiological survey assessing prevalence and possible risk factors in Western Australian horses. Peripheral dental caries is defined as macroscopic destruction of the calcified dental tissues and can cause considerable dental pathology and pain. It appears to occur at a high prevalence in Western Australian horses. At present, risk factors for the condition are poorly understood, making treatment and prevention difficult. Objective: To assess the prevalence of and potential risk factors for peripheral caries in Western Australian horses. Methods: Cross-sectional, epidemiological study. Methods: A survey of 500 Western Australian horses was administered in two sections. The first section w...
Uneven distribution of enamel, dentine and cementum in cheek teeth of domestic horses (Equus caballus): A micro computed tomography study. Hypsodont equine cheek teeth possess large dental crowns, resting partly in the bony alveolus. Over a horse's life cheek teeth erupt continuously to compensate for occlusal wear of 3-4 mm per year. Parts of the crown initially resting in the bony alveolus become progressively exposed at the occlusal surface with time. Hitherto, it is unclear whether the typical structure of the equine occlusal surface, composed of a complex arrangement of enamel, dentin and cementum, remains constant or undergoes structural changes with age. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the occlusal surface composi...
[Equine dentistry: Survey on Swiss horse owners]. The interest in equine dentistry has significantly increased in the last 15 years. On the part of the veterinarians as well as of the horse owners there is a strong attention to the topic. The aim of the questionnaire was to investigate amongst horse owners what their level of information and preferences about dental treatment are and how they are implemented. The questionnaire was translated into the three national languages and included 20 questions about level and sources of information, frequency of treatments and the horse owner's stance over sedation of the animals. With a return rate of...
Epidemiological survey on equine cheek tooth infundibular caries in the United Kingdom. Infundibular caries (IC) is an important equine dental disorder that can cause premature wear, fractures and apical infection of affected maxillary cheek teeth. No accurate prevalence values for IC are available for UK horses. The feeding of high levels of concentrates is believed to increase its prevalence, but no objective information is available on such possible environmental risk factors. The aims of the study were to document the prevalence of IC in UK horses, assess its distribution and severity between infundibulae and teeth in affected horses and examine for potential risk factors for...
Regional Nerve Blocks for Equine Dentistry. Regional nerve blocks are necessary to facilitate equine oral surgery in the standing sedated patient. Step-by-step instruction on how to perform common regional nerve blocks are discussed, including infraorbital, maxillary, middle mental, and inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Regional nerve blocks are critical when performing dental procedures in the standing horse. The infraorbital and maxillary nerve blocks provide anesthesia of the infraorbital nerve, which is a branch of the maxillary nerve. Both nerve blocks provide adequate anesthesia for all maxillary dental procedures. When the infraorb...
Coronally Advanced Flap Technique to Treat Class I and II Gingival Recession in Combination with Connective Tissue Graft or Equine Collagen Matrix: A Retrospective Study. This retrospective study aimed to compare the effectiveness of an equine collagen matrix (ECM) with that of a subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) in patients affected by Class I and II gingival recessions treated with a coronally advanced flap (CAF) technique. Records of 50 consecutive patients were analyzed. Recession depth, probing depth, keratinized tissue width, and percentage of root coverage had been recorded at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. The number of patients that achieved complete root coverage was also assessed. According to the investigated parameters, ECM and CTG...
The association between oral examination findings and computed tomographic appearance of the equine temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) forms the junction between the maxilla and mandible. Movement of the jaw and resulting masticatory forces have been extensively studied in the horse; however, less is known about the inter-relationship between this joint and oral and dental pathology. Objective: To determine the association between specific oral and dental pathologies and anatomical variations of the TMJ imaged with computed tomography (CT) in horses with asymptomatic TMJs. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Horses (n = 201) from three practices with a complete oral exami...
Evaluation of the effects of performance dentistry on equine rideability: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial. This study attempted to determine: (1) if degree of dental malocclusion assigned prior to dental treatment was associated with equine rideability, assessed using a standardized score and (2) if performance dentistry improved this score. Methods: Thirty-eight Franches-Montagnes stallions. Methods: All horses were examined and assigned a dental malocclusion score by a veterinary dentist and randomized into two groups: sham treatment (Group S) and performance dentistry including occlusal equilibration (Group D). The horses were ridden twice before and three times after treatment by a professional...
Building an Oral Endoscope for Use in Equine Oral Examination and Treatment. The use of oral endoscopy can be very beneficial in that it helps the clinician to perform a more thorough oral examination. However, due to the high cost, most commercially available equine oral endoscopy systems have been out of reach for clinicians who practice equine dentistry outside a large hospital setting. This article details how to set up an oral endoscopy system that can be used on equine patients either in an ambulatory practice or in a hospital setting. The system is more cost-effective than most other systems currently on the market without sacrificing functionality or image qual...
Detecting taxonomic and phylogenetic signals in equid cheek teeth: towards new palaeontological and archaeological proxies. The Plio-Pleistocene evolution of and the subsequent domestication of horses and donkeys remains poorly understood, due to the lack of phenotypic markers capable of tracing this evolutionary process in the palaeontological/archaeological record. Using images from 345 specimens, encompassing 15 extant taxa of equids, we quantified the occlusal enamel folding pattern in four mandibular cheek teeth with a single geometric morphometric protocol. We initially investigated the protocol accuracy by assigning each tooth to its correct anatomical position and taxonomic group. We then contrasted the ph...
A tall rostral hook in a medieval horse premolar tooth. Development of dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear is common among modern domestic horses. This phenomenon often is attributed to jaw conformation. Rostral mandibular hooks may develop in horses with underjet or mandibular prognathism, a condition where the lower jaw protrudes forward, beyond the upper jaw. Less abrasive diet, free of phytoliths and matrix-like plant fibers, also may promote enamel and focal overgrowths of equine dentition. Here we report a rostral mandibular hook in a lower premolar tooth of a medieval horse, found in a spring deposit in Levänluhta, Osthroboth...
Early volumetric changes after vertical augmentation of the atrophic posterior mandible with interpositional block graft versus onlay bone graft: A retrospective radiological study. The aim of this study was to evaluate volumetric and clinical outcomes of atrophic posterior mandibles treated with inlay or onlay bone grafting techniques. Methods: In posterior mandibles, alveolar ridges were treated either with interpositional equine cancellous bone block (inlay group) or with onlay autogenous bone block (onlay group). Bone volumes at baseline and at 4 months after surgery were measured by computed tomography. Results: A total of 20 subjects were enrolled in the present study: 10 in the inlay group and 10 in the onlay group. After surgery, atrophic posterior mandibles showe...
Radiographic evaluation in clinical practice of the types and stage of incisor tooth resorption and hypercementosis in horses. There are several reports of incisor tooth resorption and hypercementosis in horses but, to date, studies have been limited in case numbers and to advanced lesions. Tooth resorption in other species is a radiographic diagnosis of types of resorption that are often identified before clinical signs. Our goal was to evaluate radiographically incisor tooth resorption in a large population of horses, utilising interpretation criteria from canine and human dentistry. Objective: To document and classify incisor tooth resorption and hypercementosis. Methods: Retrospective descriptive case series. Meth...
Isolation and characterization of equine dental pulp stem cells derived from Thoroughbred wolf teeth. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent stem cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell lineages. Methods for cell therapy using MSCs have been developed in equine medicine. Recently, human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have drawn much attention owing to their trophic factor producing ability and minimally invasive collection methods. However, there have been no reports on equine dental pulp-derived cells (eDPCs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize the eDPCs from discarded wolf teeth. Plastic-adherent spindle-shaped ...
Socket Preservation using Enzyme-treated Equine Bone Granules and an Equine Collagen Matrix: A Case Report with Histological and Histomorphometrical Assessment. To histologically assess the effectiveness of a socket-preservation technique using enzyme-treated equine bone granules as a bone-graft material in combination with an equine collagen matrix as a scaffold for soft-tissue regeneration. Background: Enzyme-treated equine bone granules and equine collagen matrix recently have been developed to help overcome alveolar bone deficiencies that develop in the wake of edentulism. Methods: The patient had one mandibular molar extracted and the socket grafted with equine bone granules. The graft was covered with the equine collagen matrix, placed in a doub...
An epidemiological survey on the prevalence of equine peripheral dental caries in the United Kingdom and possible risk factors for its development. Equine peripheral caries (PC) is an increasingly recognised disorder that causes premature wear of teeth and dental fractures and thus has major welfare implications. Little information is available on its prevalence or severity in UK horses and there are no proven associations with any risk factors. Objective: To document the prevalence of PC over a wide area of the UK, assess its intraoral distribution and severity in affected horses and examine for potential risk factors for its development. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: Experienced personnel were recruited for a UK wide dental s...
Dental Disease in Aged Horses and Its Management. Improved recognition of equine geriatric conditions has resulted in a surge in our aged population with a concurrent escalation of many age-related dental pathologies. Prevention of these disorder is the ultimate aim but early identification and appropriate management can increase an animal's oral comfort and maximise its masticatory ability. There is only a finite amount of tooth available for eruption in the horse and therefore as the teeth become worn and less efficient as a grinding unit, dietary modification becomes a paramount consideration to accommodate this. Geriatric animals have dif...
Preventive health care of Pony Club horses in rural New South Wales, Australia. To describe preventive health care provided to a cohort of Pony Club horses in rural New South Wales, Australia, and the associated veterinary involvement. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study Methods: Observational data collected for 48 Pony Club horses using daily owner-kept diaries and monthly veterinary visits for 9-12 months. Results: Frequency of healthcare events varied markedly between the horses; 54% of horses received 5 or more foot-care treatments, 69% received 1-3 anthelmintic treatments, 40% received dental care, 21% received chiropractic care; only 8% were vaccinated. Farriers...
Mechanical modelling of tooth wear. Different diets wear teeth in different ways and generate distinguishable wear and microwear patterns that have long been the basis of palaeodiet reconstructions. Little experimental research has been performed to study them together. Here, we show that an artificial mechanical masticator, a chewing machine, occluding real horse teeth in continuous simulated chewing (of 100 000 chewing cycles) is capable of replicating microscopic wear features and gross wear on teeth that resemble wear in specimens collected from nature. Simulating pure attrition (chewing without food) and four plant material...
Bacteraemia before, during and after tooth extraction in horses in the absence of antimicrobial administration. Transient bacteraemia can occur during tooth extraction in humans, and dogs and can lead to severe infectious sequelae. Several case reports describe distant site infections following equine tooth extraction, but the occurrence of bacteraemia during dental surgery has not been evaluated in the horse. Objective: To determine if transient bacteraemia occurs during tooth extraction in horses, describe isolated organisms and compare these with those found in the diseased teeth. Methods: Prospective, observational study. Methods: Blood was collected aseptically for blood culture before, during and ...
Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and risk factors. Colic is an important health problem in managed horse populations. Currently, there is limited information about colic prevalence and risk factors for colic in working horse populations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, colic in a working horse population in Egypt and to describe management practices in this working horse population. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed. Data about their horses, management and colic episodes in the preceding 12 months were collected. Dental examination was conducted on 342 horse...
A Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness of Four Different Treatments of Periodontal Disease in Equine Cheek Teeth. Periodontal disease of equine cheek teeth is common and may lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Limited information is available comparing the effectiveness of treatment methods. The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare the effectiveness of 4 commonly used treatments in reducing periodontal pocket depth (in addition to routine dental treatment and occlusal equilibration). The 4 treatments compared were (1) removal of feed material, lavaging the pocket with dilute chlorhexidine, and then rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash (CL); (2) CL plus placement of...
Prevalence of oro-dental pathology in a working horse population in Egypt and its relation to equine health. Oro-dental disease can have a significant impact on equine welfare. Objective: To determine the prevalence of oro-dental disease and to identify risk factors for oro-dental disorders and poor body condition scores (BCS) in a working horse population in Egypt. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Oro-dental examination was performed on 450 working horses in 2 Egyptian provinces. Horse and management historical data were collected and horses were assigned to no/mild, moderate and severe dental disease categories based on findings on examination. Multivariable logistic regression and general...
Infundibula of equine maxillary cheek teeth: Part 2: Morphological variations and pathological changes. Incomplete cemental filling of the infundibula of equine maxillary cheek teeth (CT) is a common feature. Depending on the extent of the defect, three stages of infundibular decay have been suggested. However, histomorphological criteria to identify non-pathological abnormalities and destructive changes have not been defined. Six hundred and eighty eight CT with no evidence of dental diseases and 55 diseased permanent, fully erupted maxillary CT were evaluated on a macroscopic level by assessing the occlusal surface and horizontal sections, including porphyrin assays to detect residual blood wi...
Measurement of Incisor Overjet and Physiological Diastemata Parameters in Quarter Horse Foals. Cephalometric studies are important to quantify abnormalities of jaw length and positioning. In this study, 4 to 7-month-old Quarter horse foals (n = 51) were examined to determine overjet (horizontal overlap) prevalence and measure the size of the physiological diastemata. Results were analyzed in relation to age, sex, and lineage. Another aim of this study was to develop a simple field technique for measuring incisor malocclusion and physiological diastemata dimensions that could be used to monitor the growth of the rostral components of maxilla, incisive bone, and mandible. The overall prev...
[Clinical anatomy of the horse: teeth and dentition]. The routine inspection of the equine oral cavity allows a numerical assessment of the teeth and provides information about positional changes within the dentition. By use of appropriate dental equipment, the occlusal surfaces of all teeth can be inspected and diagnosed. However, neither the teeth nor their occlusal surfaces are constant structures. Instead, equine teeth and, in particular, their occlusal surfaces are subjected to continuous morphological and positional changes due to the effects of aging and the equine-specific high amount of occlusal wear. Therefore, it is mandatory to define...
Dental trauma in showjumping – A trinational study between Switzerland, France and Germany. Showjumping is one of the sporting activities with a high injury risk. Unpredictable behaviour of the horse, considerable speed and the height of the rider in the saddle make this sport to one of the most dangerous, with the highest risk of injury and the highest mortality rate per competitor. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of dental trauma, the wearing of protective gear such as helmet, back protector and mouthguard as well as the knowledge of primary care after dental trauma. Methods: Within the framework of this study, 608 female and male showjumpers from Switzerland, ...