Diagnosis and surgical treatment of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar in five horses.

The study looks at the methods to diagnose and treat periapical infections in horses, focussing on the third mandibular molar. It highlights the use of multiple imaging techniques for diagnosis and the effectiveness of surgical treatment.

Study Design and Subjects

• The researchers assessed the diagnosis and treatment of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar in five horses.
• Among the five horses, four had a recent history of dental work, suggesting that the infection could have possibly resulted from these dental procedures.

Diagnostic Techniques

• The study used different imaging techniques to diagnose the dental condition.
• Radiography was used to check for evidence of tooth root lysis(probably breakdown) or bone breakdown around the apex of the tooth. This imaging technique identified issues in three out of the five horses.
• Sonographic examination was used to identify abscesses in the masseter muscle (a muscle in the jaw responsible for closing the mouth) and defects in the lateral cortex of the mandible (side part of the lower jaw). This method was effective in four out of five horses.
• Nuclear scintigraphy, a diagnostic imaging technique, was used in two out of the five horses and it was successful in identifying the condition in one of them.

Treatment Approach

• All the horses in the study were treated by repulsion of the affected tooth – a veterinary dental procedure where the tooth is forcibly ejected from the mouth or sinus.
• The surgical approach involved lifting the masseter muscle from the back part of the mandible. According to the researchers, this method allowed excellent access to the affected tooth and resulted in minor postoperative complications.
• All surgical incisions healed well, with good cosmetic results, indicating satisfactory recovery of the horses.