Biomechanical evaluation of equine masticatory action: position and curvature of equine cheek teeth and age-related changes.
Abstract: The equine cheek tooth battery is part of a very dynamic system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the curvature and position of the teeth are also involved in such dynamical processes. The alveolar crest was labelled with a radiodense marker (48 cadaver heads, 15 skulls) and laterolateral radiographs were taken. Then a geometrical method was elaborated to determine a cheek tooth's curvature and its position by means of specific angles. This method respects the remarkable changes of the equine dentition throughout life by considering two items: (1) the alveolar crest was taken as a constant landmark, (2) the central axis of the curved dental crown was determined by calculation of a linear regression equation. This equation considered several geometrically determined points on the curved dental crown which had been marked in the radiographs. Our study yielded the following results: Mandibular cheek teeth became more curved with age, but their positions (represented by the so-called mesio-occlusal angle between tooth and alveolar crest) did not change significantly. In maxillary cheek teeth, however, the mesio-occlusal angle became larger with age (indication of change of dental position), while their curvature did not change. Even though changes of the dental position were not always statistically significant, they are discussed as being biologically/functionally relevant. The mandibular anticlinal tooth, i.e. the tooth positioned at a mesio-occlusal angle of about 90 degrees , was not in contact with the maxillary anticlinal tooth. Interestingly, the maxillary anticlinal tooth is known to cause most clinical dental problems.
Publication Date: 2008-04-11 PubMed ID: 18399545DOI: 10.1002/ar.20676Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research aims to study the curvature and positioning changes of equine cheek teeth as horses age. Utilizing radiographs and a detailed geometrical method, the findings suggest that age-related changes in cheek teeth vary depending on their location.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on 48 cadaver heads and 15 skulls, labeling the alveolar crest with a radiodense marker, imaging them with laterolateral radiographs.
- A unique geometrical method was devised to determine the curvature and positioning of a cheek tooth via specific angles.
- Respecting the remarkable changes in equine dentition throughout life, the study used the alveolar crest as a constant landmark.
- The central axis of the curved dental crown was calculated through a linear regression equation considering several geometrically determined points marked on the radiographs.
Findings and Implications
- The research found that the mandibular cheek teeth, located in the lower jaw, become more curved with age, but their positions do not change significantly.
- The maxillary cheek teeth, located in the upper jaw, displayed an increase in the mesio-occlusal angle with age, which indicates a change in tooth position, but their curvature did not change.
- The study notes that even though the changes in dental position weren’t always statistically notable, they could still have biological or functional relevance.
- The mandibular anticlinal tooth, positioned at a mesio-occlusal angle of about 90 degrees was found not to contact the maxillary anticlinal tooth. The maxillary anticlinal tooth is known to cause majority of clinical dental issues, highlighting its significance in equine dental health.
Conclusion
This research provides valuable insights into the changes in curvature and position of equine cheek teeth as they age. Understanding these physiological alterations could have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of age-related dental issues in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Huthmann S, Gasse H, Jacob HG, Rohn K, Staszyk C.
(2008).
Biomechanical evaluation of equine masticatory action: position and curvature of equine cheek teeth and age-related changes.
Anat Rec (Hoboken), 291(5), 565-570.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20676 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Mastication / physiology
- Models, Biological
- Tooth / anatomy & histology
- Tooth / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Liuti T, Daniel CR, Dixon PM, Reardon RJM. Studies on Age-Related Changes in Equine Cheek Teeth Angulation and Dental Drift. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:804061.
- Riahi Z, Naeini AT, Zare R. Evaluation of maturation-related changes in maxillary sinus diameter and cheek teeth positioning relative to the maxillary sinus in the Dareshuri horse. J Equine Sci 2025;36(3):81-91.
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