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Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(1); 104-111; doi: 10.1111/evj.13134

A histological and ultrastructural study of equine peripheral caries.

Abstract: Peripheral caries (PC) has recently been shown to affect over half of UK and Australian horses. Objective: To examine affected cheek teeth histologically and ultrastructurally, to assess the possible route(s) of carious infection into the dental tissues and to further describe the pathological changes in affected teeth. Methods: Descriptive pathological study. Methods: Four control and 16 cheek teeth with different grades of PC were examined grossly, histologically and by electron microscopy. Results: Cariogenic bacteria from plaque entered peripheral cementum perpendicular to the sides of teeth alongside Sharpey's fibres or vascular channels or more horizontally alongside exposed intrinsic fibres and cemental growth lines. Subsequent intra-cemental bacterial spread created different patterns of caries including vertical and horizontal flake-like patterns; deep, large flask-shaped or smaller superficial ellipsoid-shaped lytic lesions. Cemental caries progressed to affect enamel, dentine and even pulp. Gross examination underestimated the degree of caries observed on histological evaluation. Conclusions: No dental histories were available; all teeth were examined on a single occasion. Conclusions: Equine PC causes different patterns of cemental lesions that appear dependent on the route of cariogenic bacterial invasion. Progression of caries can lead to pulpitis and tooth loss. Gross examination can underestimate the true extent of caries.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-30 PubMed ID: 31038757DOI: 10.1111/evj.13134Google 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 focuses on a pathological study that sought to examine peripheral caries (PC) in horses’ cheek teeth both ultrastructurally and histologically, with the aim of understanding the infection pathways into the dental tissues and expanding understanding on the resulting pathological changes in the affected teeth.

Objective and Methods

  • The main objective was to examine the affected cheek teeth ultrastructurally, histologically, and pathologically to discern potential routes of infections into the dental tissues.
  • Processes of the study involved analyzing four control teeth alongside 16 teeth exhibiting different grades of PC- all of which were examined grossly, histologically and under electron microscopy.

Results

  • The study found that cariogenic bacteria from dental plaque entered peripheral cementum (the calcified substance covering the root of a tooth) perpendicularly to the sides of the teeth. This process took place alongside Sharpey’s fibres or vascular channels or more horizontally alongside uncovered intrinsic fibres and cemental growth lines.
  • Subsequent bacterial spread within the cement created varied patterns of caries which included vertical and horizontal flake-like patterns, vertical large flask-shaped or smaller superficial ellipsoid-shaped lytic lesions.
  • The progression of the cemental caries affected enamel, dentine, and even reached the pulp of the teeth.
  • It was also noted that gross examination often underestimated the degree of caries that was seen during histological evaluation.

Conclusions

  • While no dental histories for the examined teeth were available, all teeth were inspected on a single occasion.
  • The study concludes that equine PC causes varied patterns of cemental lesions. These patterns appear dependent on the route of cariogenic bacterial invasion into the tooth.
  • Progression of caries can potentially lead to pulpitis (inflammation of the dental pulp) and ultimate tooth loss, highlighting the seriousness of caries in equine dental health.
  • A noteworthy observation is that gross examination can sometimes provide a conservative estimate of the true extent of caries in affected teeth.

Cite This Article

APA
Borkent D, Smith S, Dixon PM. (2019). A histological and ultrastructural study of equine peripheral caries. Equine Vet J, 52(1), 104-111. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13134

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 1
Pages: 104-111

Researcher Affiliations

Borkent, D
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Smith, S
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Dixon, P M
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Dental Caries / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Tooth / pathology
  • Tooth / ultrastructure

Grant Funding

  • The Horse Trust, UK

References

This article includes 30 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Zapf AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. Periodontal structures in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: A histological evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1114445.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1114445pubmed: 36733635google scholar: lookup
  2. Górski K, Stefanik E, Turek B, Bereznowski A, Czopowicz M, Polkowska I, Domino M. Malocclusions and Dental Diseases in Privately Owned Horses in the Mazovia Region of Poland. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 11;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223120pubmed: 36428347google scholar: lookup
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