Dental benign cementomas in three horses.
Abstract: Cementoma is a very rare odontogenic neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. Clinically, in 3 horses, multiple bony enlargements of the upper and lower jaw extending into the oral cavity were observed. Radiographically, multiple, well-circumscribed, radiopaque masses surrounding the roots of the upper and lower incisors or an upper premolar tooth were present. Due to malocclusion and local pain, single teeth were extracted in each case. Grossly, a hard grayish-white mass surrounding the root of the incisors and the premolars was identified. Histopathologically, the tumors consisted of excessive deposition of cementum-like tissue. Cells, resembling cementoblasts, lined irregularly shaped lacunae, which were present in the tumor tissue, and showed minimal cellular pleomorphism. Mitotic figures were not present. Macroscopically and histologically, all 3 equine cases displayed great similarities to cementomas in other species. However, due to their high degree of differentiation, hypercementosis must be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Publication Date: 2007-07-04 PubMed ID: 17606518DOI: 10.1354/vp.44-4-533Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the occurrence of rare benign tumors, known as cementomas, in the teeth of three horses. These tumors, emerging from dental tissue, caused noticeable bony enlargements and tooth pain, prompting extraction of affected teeth.
Introduction to Cementomas
- Cementomas are extremely rare odontogenic (tooth-originating) tumors of mesenchymal origin, essentially arising from the connective tissue of the teeth.
- In this study, these benign tumors were observed in three horses, causing multiple bony swellings in both the upper and lower jaws, extending into their oral cavities.
Radiographic Observations and Clinical Interventions
- Through radiographic imaging, the researchers noticed well-defined, radiopaque (resistant to X-ray or other radiation) masses surrounding the roots of the upper and lower front teeth and an upper premolar tooth in all three horses.
- These masses were correlated with clinical symptoms of malocclusion (misaligned teeth) and local pain, leading to the extraction of the affected teeth in each of the horses.
Gross and Histopathological Examination
- Upon physical examination, the extracted teeth were found to be encased in a hard, greyish-white mass.
- A detailed histopathological (microscopic tissue examination) analysis revealed that the tumors were made up of excessive amounts of tissue resembling cementum, a hard substance that covers the root of a tooth.
- Cells resembling cementoblasts, or cells that produce cementum, were found lining irregular gaps within the tumor tissue. These cells showed minimal variations in shape and size (cellular pleomorphism), and no cell divisions (mitotic figures) were observed.
Comparative Analysis and Differential Diagnosis
- Based on the macroscopic (visible to the naked eye) and histological appearances, the equine cementomas showed great similarities to those reported in other species.
- However, the high degree of differentiation observed in these equine cases mandates considering hypercementosis, a non-neoplastic overgrowth of cementum, as a potential differential diagnosis. This implies careful diagnosis is needed to distinguish between the two conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Kreutzer R, Wohlsein P, Staszyk C, Nowak M, Sill V, Baumgärtner W.
(2007).
Dental benign cementomas in three horses.
Vet Pathol, 44(4), 533-536.
https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.44-4-533 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Bergische Tierklinik Heiligenhaus GmbH, Heiligenhaus, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cementoma / diagnosis
- Cementoma / pathology
- Cementoma / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Tooth / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Rahmani V, Häyrinen L, Kareinen I, Ruohoniemi M. History, clinical findings and outcome of horses with radiographical signs of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis. Vet Rec 2019 Dec 14;185(23):730.
- Villamizar-Martinez LA, Reiter AM, Sánchez MD, Soltero-Rivera MM. Benign cementoblastoma (true cementoma) in a cat. JFMS Open Rep 2016 Jan-Jun;2(1):2055116915626847.
- Grier-Lowe CK, Anthony J. Novel treatment of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis of incisor teeth in a 22-year-old Arabian mare. Can Vet J 2015 Aug;56(8):855-62.
- Nugent Z, Jensen A, Owen N, Peffers AJ, Moothanchery M, Peffers MJ. Characterisation of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: A comparative study using microCT and radiography in age-matched controls. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1099-1109.
- Jensen A, Clarke EJ, Nugent Z, Paice E, Gringel I, Yamamoto K, Rocchigiani G, Peffers AJ, Cooper L, Peffers MJ. Inflammation and response to bacterial infection as potential drivers of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: A proteomics insight. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):977-990.
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