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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / A Computerized Simulation of the Occlusal Surface in Equine ...
Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 8; 789133; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.789133

A Computerized Simulation of the Occlusal Surface in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Simplified Model.

Abstract: Equine mastication, as well as dental wear patterns, is highly important for the development of treatments in equine dentistry. During the last decades, the stress and strain distributions of equine teeth have been successfully simulated using finite element analysis. Yet, to date, there is no simulation available for dental tooth wear in equines. In this study, we developed a simplified two-dimensional computer simulation of dental wear. It provides a first tentative explanation for the development of the marked physiological inclination of the occlusal surface and for pathological conditions such as sharp enamel points in equine cheek teeth. The mechanical properties of the dental structures as well as the movement of the mandible during the equine chewing cycle were simulated according to previously published data. The simulation setup was optimized in preliminary test runs. Further simulations were conducted varying the lateral excursion of the mandible and the presence or absence of incisor contact during the chewing cycle. The results of simulations showed clear analogies to tooth wear patterns in living equids, including the formation of wear abnormalities. Our analysis indicates that small variations in the pattern of movement during the masticatory cycle, as well as incisor contacts, are leading to marked changes in the occlusal tooth wear patterns. This opens new research avenues to better understand the development of dental wear abnormalities in equines and might have serious implications on captive animal health, welfare, and longevity.
Copyright © 2022 Sterkenburgh, Schulz-Kornas, Nowak and Staszyk.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-03 PubMed ID: 35047585PubMed Central: PMC8761981DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.789133Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article introduces a new computer simulation model for studying dental wear in equine teeth. The model seeks to understand the development of tooth inclination and enamel abnormalities in equine cheek teeth by simulating different chewing patterns.

Objectives and Background

  • The study aims to simulate and understand tooth wear in equine teeth, which is important for equine dentistry. It particularly focuses on the development of the inclination of the occlusal surface and on the formation of sharp enamel points in equine cheek teeth.
  • Previous research utilized finite element analysis to simulate stress and strain in equine teeth but hadn’t simulated dental tooth wear.

Methods and Simulation of Chewing Cycle

  • The researchers developed a two-dimensional computer simulation that simulates the mechanical properties of dental structures and the movement of the mandible during an equine chewing cycle. They based these simulations on previously published data.
  • The simulation was refined through preliminary test runs before expanding to more complex scenarios.
  • Some of the scenarios studied variations in the lateral excursion of the mandible and the presence or absence of incisor contact during the chewing cycle. These factors were adjusted to see how they affected the development of tooth wear patterns.

Results of the Simulations

  • The simulation results showed clear analogies to tooth wear patterns observed in living equids, including the development of wear abnormalities. This suggested that the simulation was reflecting real experiences accurately.
  • The researchers found that small changes in the pattern of movement during the masticatory cycle and changes in the presence of incisor contacts could lead to significant changes in tooth wear patterns.

Implications of the Study

  • This study has potential implications for both research and practical applications, offering new ways to understand dental wear abnormalities in equines.
  • It might also have important implications for the health, welfare, and longevity of captive animals, as understanding tooth wear can potentially enable better dental care and treatment, prevent oral health issues, and ultimately improve the overall health of the animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Sterkenburgh T, Schulz-Kornas E, Nowak M, Staszyk C. (2022). A Computerized Simulation of the Occlusal Surface in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Simplified Model. Front Vet Sci, 8, 789133. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.789133

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 789133
PII: 789133

Researcher Affiliations

Sterkenburgh, Tomas
  • Veterinary Practice Dr. M. Nowak, Equine Clinic Meerbusch, Meerbusch, Germany.
Schulz-Kornas, Ellen
  • Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Nowak, Michael
  • Veterinary Practice Dr. M. Nowak, Equine Clinic Meerbusch, Meerbusch, Germany.
Staszyk, Carsten
  • Institute of Veterinary-Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Giessen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B. Intra- and Interexaminer Measurement Variability Analysis of an Orthodontic Gauge Device to Determine Incisor Occlusal Surface Angles in the Horse.. Vet Sci 2022 Sep 7;9(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090481pubmed: 36136698google scholar: lookup
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