Evaluation of periodontal changes following intra-alveolar prosthesis for maxillary cheek tooth extraction in ponies.

This research explored the impact of using a bone substitute as an intra-alveolar prosthesis in ponies after they had one of their cheek teeth (either 108 or 208) extracted. The study found that both the use of the bone substitute and natural healing led to periodontal disease due to tooth position changes after tooth extraction.

Objective of the Study

• The main objective of the study was to examine the influence of utilizing an intra-alveolar prosthesis of bone substitute on the gingival/periodontal health in ponies following extraction of specific cheek teeth (108 and 208).

Research Method

• In the study, five ponies had either cheek tooth 108 or 208 extracted. Following the extraction, a bone substitute was placed in one chosen alveolus (tooth socket) at random, while the other alveolus was left to heal naturally (second intention).
• Following surgery, the researchers checked both maxillary arches of each pony at 6, 12, and 24-month intervals for abnormal wear patterns and gingival health via a periodontal scoring system.

Recorded Changes

• The recorded changes included development of overgrowths on mandibular cheek teeth, widening of maxillary interproximal spaces as a result of tooth drift which led to food accumulation, gingivitis, and subgingival pocket formation.
• There was an initial formation of diastema (gap between teeth) between the maxillary teeth numbered 06 and 07s, though this resolved after 24 months; the diastema between maxillary 09 and 10s remained.

Conclusion

• The conclusion drawn from this study was the extraction of maxillary cheek teeth triggered progressive changes in the position of adjacent teeth, leading to the onset of periodontitis (gross inflammation of periodontium).
• The use of a biocompatible, non-resorbable bone substitute prosthesis in the alveolus did not prevent the eventual development of periodontal disease, indicating that this form of intervention may not be sufficient in preventing post-extraction periodontal complications.