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Equine veterinary journal2026; doi: 10.1002/evj.70180

A study of the forces generated during equine cheek tooth extraction.

Abstract: Significant force is often applied when elevating equine teeth from the alveolus during extraction. No previous studies have investigated these forces. Objective: To develop a method to allow measurement of elevation forces (EF) applied during extraction, and to record forces during extraction of cheek teeth in both cadaver specimens and clinical cases, evaluating factors that might affect this and comparing differences between tooth positions and horse signalments. Methods: In vitro experimental study of cadavers and observational study of a convenience sample of clinical cases. Methods: Strain gauges were installed on extraction forceps and calibrated to give a value of force in Newtons. Cheek teeth were extracted from cadaver specimens. Two groups allowed comparison between tooth oscillation time (5 min vs. 10 min) and partial coronectomy versus no coronectomy. Measurements were also made during clinical cases presenting for cheek tooth extraction. Results: Oscillation group: Elevation forces (EF) ranged from 406.7 to 4640.4 N. The median EF was not significantly (p = 0.8, V = 187) higher in the 5-min oscillation time group (1369.75) than the 10-min oscillation time group (1158.95). Coronectomy group: EF ranged from 332.5 to 4015 N. The median extraction forces were significantly (p = 0.03) lower in the teeth that developed root fractures (947.6 N) than in the teeth that did not (1584.4 N). Clinical cases group: Elevation forces ranged between 564.3 and 2851.8 N and were significantly higher (p = 0.02, W = 114) in Maxillary (median = 1341 N) than Mandibular (median = 870 N) teeth extractions. Conclusions: Low numbers reduced statistical power. Postmortem changes presented difficulties for ex vivo extractions, reducing validity. Conversion of input force to elevatory force and variations in fulcrum position potentially affected the accuracy of values recorded. Conclusions: High elevation forces (up to 4640.4 N in cadavers and 2851.8 N in live horses) were recorded. Elevation forces were observed to vary with tooth position, horse age, and with preparation technique.
© 2026 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2026-06-10 PubMed ID: 42270449DOI: 10.1002/evj.70180Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This research developed a method to measure the forces applied during extraction of equine cheek teeth and recorded these forces both in cadaver specimens and clinical cases to understand factors influencing the extraction forces.

Background and Objective

  • Equine cheek tooth extraction requires applying significant force to elevate the tooth from its alveolar socket.
  • Despite the clinical relevance, no prior studies quantitatively measured these elevation forces during extraction.
  • The objective was to develop a reliable method for measuring elevation forces (EF) in Newtons during equine cheek tooth extraction.
  • The study aimed to compare forces between different extraction techniques, tooth positions (maxillary vs mandibular), and horse signalments (age, clinical status).

Methods

  • Strain gauges were calibrated and installed on dental extraction forceps to record the applied forces during tooth elevation.
  • Two experimental setups were used:
    • In vitro extraction from cadaver specimens with varying oscillation times (5 minutes vs 10 minutes) to test force application over time.
    • Partial coronectomy vs no coronectomy groups to examine how root fractures during extraction influenced force.
  • Observational measurements were also taken during clinical cases of cheek tooth extraction in live horses.
  • Statistical analyses compared median forces between groups and tooth positions.

Results

  • Cadaver oscillation time comparison:
    • Elevation forces ranged widely (around 407 to 4640 Newtons).
    • The median force was slightly higher in the 5-minute oscillation group (1369.75 N) compared to the 10-minute group (1158.95 N), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.8).
  • Coronectomy group:
    • Forces ranged between 332.5 to 4015 N.
    • Teeth that developed root fractures during extraction required significantly lower median forces (947.6 N) than teeth without fractures (1584.4 N) (p=0.03).
  • Clinical cases:
    • Elevation forces recorded ranged between 564.3 and 2851.8 N.
    • Maxillary teeth required significantly higher median elevation forces (1341 N) compared to mandibular teeth (870 N) (p=0.02).

Conclusions and Limitations

  • Extraction forces can be very high, reaching up to around 4640 N in cadaver specimens and 2852 N in live horses.
  • Elevation forces vary significantly depending on:
    • Tooth position (maxillary teeth typically require more force than mandibular).
    • Whether the tooth roots fractured during extraction.
    • Horse age and preparation technique (such as coronectomy and oscillation time).
  • Limitations include low sample size, which reduced statistical power.
  • Postmortem tissue changes in cadaver specimens presented challenges, affecting the validity of ex vivo force measurement.
  • Potential inaccuracies may have arisen from conversion of input forces to elevation forces and variations in the mechanical lever arm (fulcrum position) during extraction.
  • Despite these limitations, the study provides new quantitative insight into the mechanical forces involved in equine cheek tooth extraction, which could guide clinical practice and tool design.

Cite This Article

APA
McGinley TNA, Reardon RJM. (2026). A study of the forces generated during equine cheek tooth extraction. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70180

Publication

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

Researcher Affiliations

McGinley, Tom N A
  • The Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire, UK.
Reardon, Richard J M
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK.

Grant Funding

  • G2022 / Horse Trust

References

This article includes 17 references
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