Comparison of the microhardness of enamel, primary and regular secondary dentine of the incisors of donkeys and horses.

This research article studies and compares the microhardness of the enamel, primary dentine, and regular secondary dentine of donkey and horse incisors, demonstrating minor but significant differences, particularly in the secondary dentine of these two species.

Research Methodology

• The research focused on measuring and comparing the microhardness of three types of dental tissues in incisors: the enamel, primary dentine, and regular secondary dentine, in both horses and donkeys.
• The experiment was conducted on seven donkey incisors and six horse incisors.
• The microhardness of these dental tissues was determined with a Knoop indenter, a specialised device used for measuring the hardness of a material. The measurements were taken at two locations on the tooth: just beneath the biting surface (subocclusal level) and halfway down the tooth (mid-tooth level).

Research Findings

• The researchers found that the mean microhardness in Knoop Hardness Number (a measure of hardness) of the donkey incisor enamel, primary dentine, and secondary dentine were 264.6, 63.00, and 53.6, respectively.
• When comparing the microhardness of the enamel and primary dentine in the incisors of donkeys and horses, there were no significant differences observed.
• However, the microhardness of the regular secondary dentine of donkeys’ incisors at the mid-tooth level was slightly but significantly less than that of the horses.
• Additionally, there was a noted difference in the microhardness of the secondary dentine between the subocclusal and mid-tooth levels in both donkey and horse incisors.

Significance of the Study

• This study holds relevance in the field of comparative veterinary dentistry and can add to our understanding of the differences in dental tissue hardness between different equine species.
• The findings can provide valuable insights into the specific dental needs and preventative healthcare for these animals based on the hardness of their dental tissues.
• These observations can also be used to improve dental treatments and procedures for both horses and donkeys.