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Equine veterinary journal2026; doi: 10.1002/evj.70176

A novel flowable calcium silicate cement for endodontic therapy in equine teeth.

Abstract: Equine endodontic treatment for apical infections is performed infrequently due to anatomical and accessibility challenges of equine cheek teeth. However, the alternative of extraction is not without risk and lifelong implications for the horse. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate cement (CSC), has been used successfully in human dentistry for decades. MTA and other CSCs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility with favourable antimicrobial and physicochemical properties. These characteristics may support their application as an alternative filling material when used in equine endodontics. This study examined the use of a novel flowable CSC, equine (eCSC), as a canal obturation material for equine cheek teeth. Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the volume percentage fill of cheek teeth pulp canals using eCSC compared to traditional obturation with calcium hydroxide paste (CHP). Methods: This is an in vitro experiment. Methods: Ten extracted teeth with open pulps and impacted feed were endodontically treated. Nine teeth were filled with eCSC and one with CHP after chemomechanical preparation and irrigation. The teeth were examined under micro-CT to determine the percentage fill and histologically assessed for dentine adaptation and the presence of material voids. Results: The average percentage fill with eCSC was 88.1% (SD ±3.9%) and ranged from 82.7% to 94.7%. The control tooth treated with CHP had a root canal filling volume of 83%. Histological assessment revealed black staining of the circumpulpar dentine with dark particles identified within the dentinal tubules, indicating intracanal penetration by eCSC. Conclusions: This was a limited in vitro study with only one control tooth and does not address biological responses or clinical outcomes in vivo. Conclusions: eCSC can be used to obturate equine teeth and appears to achieve a percentage fill density comparable to CHP. Moreover, histological samples reveal excellent marginal adaptation to dentine, suggesting eCSC promotes penetration and possible mineralisation of dentinal tubules.
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Publication Date: 2026-05-07 PubMed ID: 42098981DOI: 10.1002/evj.70176Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated a new type of flowable calcium silicate cement (eCSC) as a filling material for root canals in equine teeth, comparing its effectiveness to traditional calcium hydroxide paste (CHP).
  • The results suggest eCSC provides a high volume fill and good adaptation to tooth dentine, potentially making it a suitable option for equine endodontic therapy.

Background

  • Equine cheek teeth often develop apical infections requiring endodontic treatment, but this is rarely performed due to anatomical challenges.
  • Extraction is commonly chosen but can have significant risks and long-term consequences for the horse.
  • In human dentistry, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), a type of calcium silicate cement (CSC), has been used successfully for root canal fillings due to its biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and good physical characteristics.
  • These properties make CSCs promising candidates for filling materials in equine dental treatments.

Objective

  • The main goal was to evaluate the volume percentage fill of equine cheek teeth pulp canals when obturated with a novel flowable CSC (eCSC).
  • Comparison was made against the traditional obturation material, calcium hydroxide paste (CHP).

Methods

  • An in vitro experiment was conducted using ten extracted equine teeth with open pulps and impacted feed in the canals.
  • Standard chemomechanical cleaning and irrigation was performed on all teeth before filling.
  • Nine teeth were filled with the new eCSC material, and one tooth was filled with CHP as a control.
  • Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to quantify the percentage of canal volume filled by each material.
  • Histological examinations assessed how well the materials adapted to the dentine walls and checked for any voids or gaps inside the filling.

Results

  • Teeth filled with eCSC showed an average canal fill of 88.1% (range 82.7% to 94.7%), indicating a dense and effective obturation.
  • The single control tooth filled with CHP had a fill volume of 83%, slightly lower than the eCSC average.
  • Histology revealed black staining in the dentine surrounding the pulp, and dark particles were visible inside the dentinal tubules, signifying that eCSC had penetrated deeply into the tooth structure.
  • This penetration could suggest that the material promotes tubule mineralization and a strong seal between filling and dentine.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Although limited by the small sample size and only one control tooth, this study indicates that eCSC is capable of effectively obturating equine cheek teeth pulp canals.
  • The volume fill percentages are comparable to or exceed those obtained with traditional CHP.
  • Excellent marginal adaptation and penetration into dentinal tubules observed histologically suggest that eCSC could offer improved sealing and potential biological benefits, such as tubule mineralization.
  • The study did not evaluate biological responses or clinical outcomes in live horses, so further research is needed before eCSC can be recommended for routine clinical use.
  • If future in vivo studies confirm these findings, eCSC could become an important alternative for managing equine endodontic infections, minimizing the need for risky tooth extraction.

Cite This Article

APA
Jackson K, Quintrell E, Staszyk C, Ha W, Kelty E, Patalwala D, Bogen G. (2026). A novel flowable calcium silicate cement for endodontic therapy in equine teeth. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70176

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Jackson, Kirsten
  • Dental Vet Veterinary Equine Dentistry, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Quintrell, Ebony
  • School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Staszyk, Carsten
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary-Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Ha, William
  • Sydney Dental School, University of Sydney, Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia.
Kelty, Erin
  • School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Patalwala, Diana
  • National Imaging Facility, Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Bogen, George
  • Department of Endodontics, University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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