Equine cheek teeth occlusal fissures: Prevalence, association with dental wear abnormalities and occlusal angles.

This research article investigates the prevalence and characteristics of fissures (small cracks) on chewing surfaces (occlusal) of horses’ cheek teeth, their possible relation with dental wear abnormalities, and the angle of teeth’s occlusion. It reveals that a large number of equine cheek teeth have these fissures but found no significant correlation between fissure prevalence and dental wear or teeth occlusion angles.

Methodology

• The study conducted a cross-sectional survey on 143 cadaver heads. Measurements were taken and dental abnormalities as fissures were recorded in the cheek teeth.
• The occlusal angles of the cheek teeth were measured using the stiff-hinge technique, a common procedure in dental analysis.
• Multiple regression analyses were executed to establish possible connections between the age and sex of the horse, dental wear, occlusal angle, and the prevalence of fissures.

Results

• The survey found that 72% of the horse heads examined had occlusal fissures. The study identified age and sex as determining factors in fissure prevalence, though the exact correlations are not described in the abstract.
• The prevalence of fissures was quite evenly split between mandibular (teeth in the lower jaw) and maxillary teeth (teeth in the upper jaw).
• The study found that mandibular fissures were more likely to be found on the buccal aspect (the side of a tooth that faces the cheeks), while the prevalence for maxillary fissures was similar between teeth’s palatal (facing the palate) and buccal aspects.
• Two primary types of fissures were identified, with Type 1a fissures being the most prevalent at 39.5%.
• There was no significant correlation found between the presence of wear abnormalities or the occlusal angle of cheek teeth, and the prevalence of occlusal fissures.

Conclusions

• The dental histories of the horse teeth used in the study were unavailable which could impact the findings subtly.
• The evidence suggests that a high number of equine cheek teeth do show a high prevalence of occlusal fissures.
• While some evidence pointed to certain parts of the tooth being more likely to develop fissures, no connection was found showing a direct correlation between these fissures and wear abnormalities or the occlusal angles of the teeth.
• The study suggests that more in-depth histological and ultrastructural studies should be carried out to further understand what causes these fissures and if they have a role in other dental diseases in horses.