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Dimensions of diastemata and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth.
Abstract: Equine cheek teeth (CT) diastemata often cause deep periodontal food pocketing and are therefore regarded as a painful dental disorder of equidae. However there appears to be no information available on the size or shape of these diastemata. This post mortem study examined 16 donkey skulls (mean age = 32-years) containing 45 CT diastemata to define the anatomical shape and dimensions of these diastemata, and of the associated periodontal food pockets that occur with this disorder. Diastemata were found to more commonly involve mandibular (56.0%) compared with maxillary CT (44.0%), and 71.0% of these diastemata had adjacent intercurrent dental disorders that may have predisposed donkeys to the diastemata. The median widths of all diastemata were 2.0-mm at the occlusal surface and 3.1-mm at the gingival margin, with no diferences in widths between the lateral or medial aspects of diastemata. Diastemata were defined as open (60.00%) or valve (40.00%) based on their gross appearance. This classification was confirmed to be accurate by measurements that showed valve diastemata to have an occlusal to gingival width ratio of 0.4, in contrast to open diastemata where this ratio was 1.07. Food was impacted in 89.0% of diastemata, but all diastemata had adjacent periodontal disease. Periodontal food pocketing was present adjacent to 76.0% of diastemata, more commonly on the lateral aspect (73.0% prevalence; mean pocket depth = 4.1-mm) than the medial aspect (47.0% prevalence; mean pocket depth = 2.4-mm). The depth of periodontal pockets of diastemata was not associated with the height of the erupted crowns of adjacent CT.
Publication Date: 2009-05-30 PubMed ID: 19476082DOI: 10.1177/089875640902600105Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
The research paper is about the study of diastemata (spaces between teeth) and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth, providing information on their dimensions, shape, and occurrence.
Research Study Overview
The central thrust of this study was an examination of differences in the diastemata and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth. The post mortem study was conducted on 16 donkey skulls, each averaging 32 years old. All skulls had visible diastemata in their cheek teeth.
Key Findings
- Diastemata were found to more commonly occur in the lower jaw (56.0%) compared to the upper jaw (44.0%).
- 71.0% of these diastemata had associated dental disorders that could predispose the donkey to more instances of diastemata.
- Median diastemata widths were 2.0mm at the biting surface, and 3.1mm at the base of the teeth, with no noticeable differences between the lateral or medial aspects.
Types of Diastemata
Diastemata were categorised as either open or valve diastemata based on their appearance.
- Open diastemata formed 60% of the cases, with a occlusal to gingival width ratio of 1.07, meaning they were nearly equally wide at the top and bottom.
- Valve diastemata, on the other hand, formed 40% of the cases and had a width ratio of 0.4, meaning that they were narrower at the top and wider at the base.
Periodontal Food Pocketing
A significant finding was also the prevalence of impacted food in the diastemata and the association of all diastemata with periodontal disease.
- Impacted food was found in 89.0% of diastemata.
- Periodontal disease was present in all diastemata cases.
- 76.0% of diastemata had periodontal food pocketing present, which was more common on the lateral aspect (73.0% prevalence; average pocket depth 4.1mm) compared to the medial aspect (47.0% prevalence; average pocket depth 2.4mm).
The height of the erupted crowns of adjacent teeth was found not to be associated with the depth of periodontal pockets in diastemata.
Cite This Article
APA
Du Toit N, Burden FA, Baedt LG, Shaw DJ, Dixon PM.
(2009).
Dimensions of diastemata and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth.
J Vet Dent, 26(1), 10-14.
https://doi.org/10.1177/089875640902600105 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Division of Veterinary Clincial Sciences, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK. Nicole.dutoit@thedonkeysanctuary.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diastema / pathology
- Equidae
- Food
- Gingival Recession / pathology
- Gingival Recession / veterinary
- Mandibular Diseases / pathology
- Mandibular Diseases / veterinary
- Maxillary Diseases / pathology
- Maxillary Diseases / veterinary
- Oral Ulcer / pathology
- Oral Ulcer / veterinary
- Periodontal Pocket / pathology
- Periodontal Pocket / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Nitzsche AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. The Gingiva of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: A Macroscopic Anatomical Evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:786971.
- Zhu Y, Jiang W, Holyoak R, Liu B, Li J. Investigation of Oral Microbiome in Donkeys and the Effect of Dental Care on Oral Microbial Composition. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 30;10(12).
- Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Angeloni MG, Lee L, Bigi D, Padalino B. Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Equus asinus): Husbandry and Welfare in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
- Occhiogrosso L, Capozza P, Buonavoglia A, Decaro N, Trotta A, Marin C, Corrente M. Bacterial Periodontitis in Horses: An Epidemiological Study in Southern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 30;13(11).
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