A tall rostral hook in a medieval horse premolar tooth.

The research paper discusses a dental abnormality found in a horse from medieval times, specifically a rostral mandibular hook in the lower premolar tooth, believed to be the first of its sort to be reported.

Understanding Dental Abnormalities in Horses

• The research opens by acknowledging a prevalent issue with modern domestic horses where they develop dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear. This term refers to uneven alignment and contact points between upper and lower teeth, potentially giving rise to various oral health issues.
• It is usually attributed to jaw conformation, more specifically, conditions such as underjet or mandibular prognathism, where the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw.
• Another influencing factor could be diet. A less abrasive diet, one that lacks phytoliths (minute silica particles usually found within plants) and matrix-like plant fibers, may lead to overgrowths in parts of the horse’s dentition due to less wear and tear of the teeth.

Findings from the Medieval Horse Tooth

• The research finds and highlights a rare case of a rostral mandibular hook in a lower premolar tooth of a medieval horse. The mandibular hook is an overgrowth on the lower tooth, which can affect a horse’s ability to grind food properly.
• This tooth was found in a spring deposit in Levänluhta, Osthrobothnia, Finland.
• To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of such an anomaly from a medieval horse, introducing new insights into the dental health and dietary habits of horses during that era.