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A review of equine dental disorders.
Abstract: Equine dentistry is a very important but until recently rather neglected area of equine practice, with many horses suffering from undiagnosed, painful dental disorders. A thorough clinical examination using a full mouth speculum is a pre-requisite to performing any equine dental procedure. Common incisor disorders include: prolonged retention of deciduous incisors, supernumerary incisors and overjet--the latter usually accompanied by cheek teeth (CT) overgrowths. Overjet can be surgically corrected, but perhaps should not be in breeding animals. In younger horses, traumatically fractured incisors with pulpar exposure may survive by laying down tertiary dentine. Loss or maleruption of incisors can cause uneven occlusal wear that can affect mastication. Idiopathic fractures and apical infection of incisors are rare. The main disorder of canine teeth is the development of calculus of the lower canines, and occasionally, developmental displacements and traumatic fractures. The main indications for extraction of "wolf teeth" (Triadan 05s) are the presence of displaced or enlarged wolf teeth, or their presence in the mandible. Developmental abnormalities of the CT include; rostral positioning of the upper CT rows in relation to the lower CT rows--with resultant development of focal overgrowths on the upper 06s and the lower 11s. Displaced CT develop overgrowths on unopposed aspects of the teeth and also develop periodontal disease in the inevitable abnormal spaces (diastemata) that are present between displaced and normal teeth. Diastemata of the CT due to excessive developmental spacing between the CT or to inadequate compression of the CT rows is a common but under diagnosed problem in many horses and causes very painful periodontal disease and quidding. Supernumerary CT mainly occur at the caudal aspect of the CT rows and periodontal disease commonly occurs around these teeth. Eruption disorders of CT include prolonged retention of remnants of deciduous CT ("caps") and vertical impaction of erupting CT that may lead to large eruption cysts and possibly then to apical infections. Disorders of wear, especially enamel overgrowths ("enamel points"), are the main equine dental disorder and are believed to be largely due to the dietary alterations associated with domestication. If untreated, such disorders will eventually lead to more severe CT disorders such as shearmouth and also to widespread periodontal disease. More focal dental overgrowths will develop opposite any CT not in full opposition to their counterpart, e.g., following maleruption of or loss of a CT. Because of the great length of reserve crown in young (hypsodont) CT, apical infections usually cause infection of the supporting bones and depending on the CT involved, cause facial swellings and fistulae and possibly sinusitis. Diagnosis of apical infection requires radiography, and possibly scintigraphy and other advanced imaging techniques in some early cases. When possible, oral extraction of affected CT is advocated, because it reduces the costs and risks of general anaesthesia and has much less post-extraction sequelae than CT repulsion or buccotomy.
Publication Date: 2005-02-25 PubMed ID: 15727909DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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 is a comprehensive review of various dental disorders in horses, highlighting the importance of equine dentistry for understanding, diagnosing, and treating these conditions.
Scope of Equine Dentistry and Common Incisor Disorders
- This study stresses the importance of equine dentistry which has been relatively overlooked in equine practice despite many horses suffering from unidentified painful dental conditions.
- It suggests that any dental procedure in horses should be preceded by a thorough clinical examination using a full mouth speculum.
- Common incisor disorder includes prolonged retention of deciduous incisors, supernumerary incisors, and overjet conditions. Overjet, often accompanied by irregular growth of cheek teeth (CT), can be corrected surgically, but not recommended in breeding animals.
- In younger horses, a traumatically fractured incisor with pulpar exposure could heal by forming tertiary dentine. Conversely, loss or maleruption of incisors can create uneven wear affecting mastication.
- Idiopathic fractures and apical infection of incisors are quite rare, according to the study.
Canine Tooth Disorders and Problems with “Wolf Teeth”
- The primary issue with canine teeth in horses is the development of dental calculus particularly on the lower canines. Furthermore, there can also be developmental displacements and traumatic fractures.
- The paper also recounts the reasons to remove so-called “wolf teeth”. These include misplacement, enlargement, or the presence of these teeth in the mandible.
Cheek Teeth (CT) Abnormalities and Associated Disorders
- The study observes various developmental abnormalities in CT such as rostral positioning, displaced CT leading to overgrowth and periodontal diseases due to abnormal gaps (diastemata) between the teeth.
- Inadequate compression or excessive developmental spacing of CT, resulting in diastemata, is identified as a common yet underdiagnosed issue leading to painful periodontal disease and quidding.
- Further, supernumerary CT occurring at the caudal aspect of the CT rows commonly instigates periodontal disease around these teeth.
Eruption Disorders, Apical Infections, and Treatment
- Eruption disorders outlined by the study include prolonged retention of remnants of deciduous CT, known as “caps”, and vertical impaction of erupting CT potentially resulting in large eruption cysts and possibly leading to apical infections.
- The main dental disorder involves disorders of wear, primarily enamel overgrowths, which are largely due to dietary changes linked to domestication.
- Left untreated, such disorders can intensify leading to severe CT disorders like shearmouth and widespread periodontal disease. More focal dental overgrowths develop opposite any CT not being in full opposition, for example following maleruption of or loss of a CT.
- Due to the significant length of reserve crown in young (hypsodont) CT, apical infections can cause infections of the supporting bones and depending on the CT involved, result in facial swellings, fistulae, and possible sinusitis.
- While diagnosing apical infection requires techniques such as radiography, scintigraphy, and other advanced imaging, the study suggests that oral extraction of affected CT should be performed when possible, to minimize costs, risks, and post-extraction complications relative to CT repulsion or buccotomy.
Cite This Article
APA
Dixon PM, Dacre I.
(2005).
A review of equine dental disorders.
Vet J, 169(2), 165-187.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK. pdixon@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dentistry / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Tooth Diseases / diagnosis
- Tooth Diseases / therapy
- Tooth Diseases / veterinary
- Tooth Fractures / diagnosis
- Tooth Fractures / therapy
- Tooth Fractures / veterinary
- Tooth, Supernumerary / diagnosis
- Tooth, Supernumerary / therapy
- Tooth, Supernumerary / veterinary
- Veterinary Medicine
Citations
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