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Equine veterinary journal2020; 52(6); 811-822; doi: 10.1111/evj.13255

A long-term study of equine cheek teeth post-extraction complications: 428 cheek teeth (2004-2018).

Abstract: Complications, especially delayed alveolar healing, are common following equine cheek teeth extraction, however, limited objective information is available on the prevalence and nature of these problems. Objective: To document the type and prevalence of complications that occur following equine cheek tooth extraction and to identify possible risk factors for these complications that could be used to predict their occurrence and hopefully reduce their prevalence. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Clinical records of all cheek teeth extractions performed between February 2004 and September 2018 were examined and written questionnaires sent to owners. Details of post-extraction complications were analysed and logistic regression was used to evaluate potential associations between the likelihood of post-extraction nonhealing alveolus managed by the authors and the variables: age, breed, reason for extraction, Triadan position and extraction technique. Results: Post-extraction complications were recorded following 58/428 extractions giving an overall complication rate of 13.6%, that caused a longer term clinical problem in 34/428 (7.9%) cases, with complications being asymptomatic or quickly self-resolving in the other 24 cases (5.6%). The most frequent complication was alveolar bone sequestration, including alveolar infection. Risk of developing a post-extraction alveolar disorder managed by the authors (n = 53) increased following extraction of the mandibular 06s, 07s or 08s compared with all other cheek teeth combined (P = .001); for cheek teeth with apical infections (P = .002) compared with those without; and following repulsion or minimally invasive transbuccal extraction (MTE) than following oral extraction (P = .01 and P = .02 respectively). Conclusions: Length of time between exodontia and survey data collection for some cases, use of clinical records and survey data and biases associated with decision to treat. Conclusions: In agreement with previous studies, oral extraction had the lowest risk of complications. This study provides new information regarding the prevalence, types and risk of development of post extraction complications. Knowledge of these risk factors may help reduce these complications.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-09 PubMed ID: 32144822DOI: 10.1111/evj.13255Google 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.

This research attempts to understand the prevalence and types of post-extraction complications in equine cheek tooth extraction, and identify potential risk factors which could predict them. The findings show that complications were found in approximately 13.6% cases, with the most common problem being alveolar bone sequestration. Certain extraction techniques and conditions increased the risk of complications.

Methodology

  • The study is a retrospective cohort study and the data was gathered from clinical records of all cheek teeth extractions performed between February 2004 and September 2018.
  • Owners of the animals were also sent written questionnaires to collect more data.
  • The study analysed details of post-extraction complications and applied logistic regression to evaluate possible associations between post-extraction non-healing alveolus managed by the authors, and variables like age, breed, reason for extraction, Triadan position and extraction technique.

Results

  • Post-extraction complications were registered for 58 out of the 428 extractions that were carried out.
  • This gave an overall complication rate of 13.6%, causing a longer-term problem in 34 out of 428 cases, which is about 7.9% of the cases.
  • Other complications that were either asymptomatic or quickly self-resolving constituted 5.6% of the cases.
  • The most frequently observed complication was alveolar bone sequestration, which includes alveolar infection.
  • The risk of developing a post-extraction alveolar disorder was found to increase after the extraction of the mandibular 06s, 07s, or 08s when compared with all other cheek teeth combined.
  • The risk also increased for cheek teeth with apical infections compared to those without, and following repulsion or minimally invasive trans-buccal extraction (MTE) than after oral extraction.

Conclusions

  • Drawbacks of the study included the length of time between the exodontia and the data collection period for some cases, use of clinical records, survey data, and biases related to the decision to treat.
  • The study agreed with previous research showing that oral extraction had the lowest risk of complications.
  • The study fills in the gaps in knowledge, providing new information about the frequency, types, and risk of developing post-extraction complications.
  • Such knowledge about risk factors could aid in reducing these cases of complications.

Cite This Article

APA
Kennedy R, Reardon RJM, James O, Wilson C, Dixon PM. (2020). A long-term study of equine cheek teeth post-extraction complications: 428 cheek teeth (2004-2018). Equine Vet J, 52(6), 811-822. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13255

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 6
Pages: 811-822

Researcher Affiliations

Kennedy, Rebekah
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Reardon, Richard J M
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
James, Oliver
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Wilson, Cherith
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Dixon, Padraic M
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cheek
  • Equidae
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tooth

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Klopfenstein Bregger MD, de Preux M, Brünisholz HP, Van der Vekens E, Schweizer D, Koch C. Cheek tooth repulsion aided by computer-assisted surgery in 16 equids. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1571539.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1571539pubmed: 41133193google scholar: lookup
  2. Spadari A, Saragoni G, Meistro F, Ralletti MV, Marzari F, Rinnovati R. Intranasal Dental Repulsion of a Displaced Cheek Tooth in an Arabian Filly. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 8;15(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15060772pubmed: 40150301google scholar: lookup
  3. Ferreira JD, Méndez-Angulo JL. Corkscrew Technique for Extraction of Premolars and Molars in Standing Sedated Horses: Cadaveric Study and Clinical Cases. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 11;14(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14101439pubmed: 38791657google scholar: lookup
  4. Leps A, Korsos S, Clarysse M, Vlaminck L. Dental sectioning for intraoral equine cheek teeth extractions: 29 cases. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1367861.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1367861pubmed: 38425840google scholar: lookup
  5. McAndrews A, Zarucco L, Hopster K, Stefanovski D, Foster D, Driessen B. Evaluation of Three Methods of Sensory Function Testing for the Assessment of Successful Maxillary Nerve Blockade in Horses. J Vet Dent 2025 Jan;42(1):48-54.
    doi: 10.1177/08987564231164769pubmed: 37013274google scholar: lookup
  6. Arndt S, Kilcoyne I, Heney CM, Wong TS, Magdesian KG. Bacterial meningitis after dental extraction in a 17-year-old horse. Can Vet J 2021 Apr;62(4):403-407.
    pubmed: 33867555
  7. Gergeleit H, Bienert-Zeit A. Complications Following Mandibular Cheek Tooth Extraction in 20 Horses. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:504.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00504pubmed: 32923469google scholar: lookup
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