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Equine veterinary journal2026; doi: 10.1002/evj.70199

Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses.

Abstract: Age-related dental changes are major contributors to dental disorders in older horses, and cheek tooth extractions are often required to maintain masticatory function and oral comfort. However, limited information is available on clinical and treatment characteristics in this older patient population. Objective: To describe clinical features, treatments, complication rates and short-term outcomes of horses undergoing oral cheek tooth extraction and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, and to compare findings between geriatric and non-geriatric horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. Methods: Data of horses undergoing cheek tooth extractions (2018-2022) were collected and analysed. Clinical features, treatments and outcomes were recorded and analysed by age (per year) as well as by comparisons between non-geriatric (<20 years) and geriatric (≥20 years) horses. Results: In total, 442 horses undergoing 710 dental extractions were included: 154 (34.8%) were geriatric and 288 (65.2%) non-geriatric. Geriatric age was significantly associated with the reason for extraction, with periodontal disease being the most frequent reason (53.3% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.001). Geriatric horses more often required extraction of multiple teeth (53.8% vs. 28.5%; p < 0.001) and extraction of mandibular cheek teeth (42.9% vs. 25.7%; p < 0.001). They were also more likely to have concurrent diseases (29.2% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001) and to receive long-term medication (14.9% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001). On the other hand, increasing age was significantly associated with lower odds of receiving antibiotics (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.92-0.98] p < 0.001) and requiring invasive extraction technique (OR 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.99] p = 0.011). Complication rates did not differ (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.98-1.01] p = 0.201). Conclusions: Retrospective single-centre design. Conclusions: Geriatric horses more frequently required extraction of multiple teeth, primarily for periodontal disease, whereas non-geriatric horses more often required invasive extraction techniques while complication rates did not differ between age groups and the short-term outcome was favourable in geriatric horses.
© 2026 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2026-05-31 PubMed ID: 42219779DOI: 10.1002/evj.70199Google 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 the clinical characteristics, treatments, complications, and short-term outcomes of cheek tooth extractions in older (geriatric) versus younger (non-geriatric) horses.
  • The research aimed to identify differences based on age, focusing on reasons for extraction, techniques used, and patient recovery.

Background and Objective

  • Horses experience age-related dental changes which often lead to dental disorders, particularly in cheek teeth.
  • Cheek tooth extraction is frequently necessary to maintain chewing function and oral comfort in older horses.
  • Limited prior information existed regarding clinical features and treatment outcomes of such dental procedures in older horses.
  • The study aimed to describe the clinical features, treatments, complication rates, and short-term outcomes of oral cheek tooth extractions and odontogenic sinusitis treatment, comparing geriatric (≥20 years) and non-geriatric (<20 years) horses.

Methods

  • The study was a retrospective analysis of clinical records from 2018 to 2022.
  • Data collected included demographics, reasons for extraction, treatment details, complications, and outcomes.
  • Horses were categorized into two groups: geriatric (20 years and older) and non-geriatric (under 20 years).
  • Statistical analysis compared clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes between the two age groups.

Results

  • A total of 442 horses underwent 710 cheek tooth extractions.
  • Of these, 154 horses (34.8%) were geriatric, and 288 horses (65.2%) were non-geriatric.
  • Reason for Extraction:

    • Periodontal disease was the most frequent cause of extraction in geriatric horses (53.3%) compared to non-geriatric horses (12.9%), indicating a significant age-related difference.
  • Number and Location of Teeth Extracted:

    • Geriatric horses more often required extraction of multiple teeth (53.8%) than non-geriatric horses (28.5%).
    • Extractions of mandibular cheek teeth were more common in geriatric horses (42.9%) compared to non-geriatric horses (25.7%).
  • Concurrent Conditions and Medication:

    • Geriatric horses were more likely to have other diseases present (29.2%) versus non-geriatric horses (11.8%).
    • Long-term medication use was more frequent in geriatric horses (14.9%) compared to non-geriatric horses (1.4%).
  • Treatment Approaches:

    • Older age was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving antibiotics after extraction.
    • Non-geriatric horses were more likely to require invasive extraction techniques compared to geriatric horses.
  • Complications and Outcomes:

    • Complication rates did not differ significantly between geriatric and non-geriatric groups.
    • The short-term outcomes after extraction were favorable in geriatric horses despite the increased complexity and presence of other diseases.

Conclusions

  • The study demonstrated that geriatric horses commonly require extraction of multiple teeth, primarily due to periodontal disease, which is more prevalent in this age group.
  • Non-geriatric horses tend to require more invasive extraction techniques, possibly due to different underlying dental issues.
  • Despite these differences, complication rates were similar between age groups, and geriatric horses generally had good short-term recovery outcomes.
  • The findings help veterinarians better understand age-related dental needs and tailor treatment approaches accordingly.
  • Limitations include the retrospective and single-center study design, which may affect the generalizability of the results to broader populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Mair E, Nekouei O, Trummer-Schug P, Haralambus R, Biermann NM. (2026). Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70199

Publication

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

Researcher Affiliations

Mair, Elias
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Nekouei, Omid
  • Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Trummer-Schug, Patricia
  • Clinical Centre for Equine Health and Research, Clinical Department Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Haralambus, Rhea
  • Clinical Centre for Equine Health and Research, Clinical Department Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Biermann, Nora Mareike
  • Clinical Centre for Equine Health and Research, Clinical Department Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.

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