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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Intraligamentary anaesthesia: a local anaesthesia technique ...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2025; 67(1); 49; doi: 10.1186/s13028-025-00836-3

Intraligamentary anaesthesia: a local anaesthesia technique in equine dentistry.

Abstract: The injection of a local anaesthetic into the periodontal ligament (PDL) to achieve desensitisation of the pulp, periodontium, and adjacent tissues is a well-established technique in human dentistry, particularly in paediatric patients. This approach, commonly referred to as intraligamental or intraligamentary anaesthesia (ILA), has been widely adopted due to its effectiveness and relative simplicity. The aims of the present publication were: (1) to provide a review of the literature, (2) to describe an ILA technique adapted by the authors for use in equine dentistry, and (3) to evaluate this technique in an equine cadaver study. Results: Following injection of the solution into the periodontal ligament, the solution was observed to spread extensively through the PDL and alveolar bone, accumulating around the apex of the tooth. In horses, this distribution appeared to occur via both diffusion along the PDL within the periodontal space and infiltration into bone marrow spaces. Conclusions: The described ILA technique is straightforward to perform and can practically be applied in equine dental procedures. The cadaver study demonstrated consistent distribution of the injected solution around the root apex, supporting the anatomical basis for potential desensitisation of the pulp, periodontium, and surrounding tissues. While clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy, these findings indicate that ILA may represent a useful additional technique for achieving local anaesthesia prior to tooth extraction in horses.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-11-26 PubMed ID: 41299724PubMed Central: PMC12659135DOI: 10.1186/s13028-025-00836-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Overview

  • This study explores the use of intraligamentary anaesthesia (ILA), a technique where local anaesthetic is injected into the periodontal ligament (PDL), adapted from human dentistry for use in horses to achieve effective local anaesthesia during dental procedures.
  • The researchers reviewed existing literature, developed a specific ILA technique for equine dentistry, and tested it in a horse cadaver study to observe how the anaesthetic spreads around the tooth structures.

Background and Purpose

  • Intraligamentary Anaesthesia (ILA): A technique commonly used in human dentistry, especially for children, where anaesthetic is injected directly into the PDL to numb the pulp and surrounding tissues of a tooth.
  • Relevance to Equine Dentistry: Local anaesthesia is essential for pain management during equine dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, but traditional methods may have limitations.
  • Aims of This Study:
    • Conduct a literature review on ILA.
    • Describe a method tailored for equine patients to apply ILA effectively.
    • Evaluate the anatomical distribution of anaesthetic after ILA injection in horse cadavers to understand its potential as an effective technique.

Methodology

  • Technique Development: The authors adapted ILA injection procedures for the equine periodontal ligament, considering the anatomical differences between humans and horses.
  • Cadaver Study:
    • Local anaesthetic solution was injected into the PDL of horse cadaver teeth.
    • The spread of the anaesthetic was observed to understand how it distributes in equine periodontal and surrounding bone tissues.

Findings

  • Distribution of Anaesthetic:
    • The anaesthetic solution spread extensively through the PDL and alveolar bone of horse teeth.
    • It accumulated notably around the tooth apex, which is critical for effective numbing of the pulp and periodontium.
    • Two mechanisms of distribution were identified:
      • Diffusion along the PDL within the periodontal space.
      • Infiltration into bone marrow spaces in the alveolar bone.
  • Technical Feasibility:
    • The described ILA technique was straightforward and practical to perform in an equine dental context.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study supports the anatomical basis for ILA to provide effective local anaesthesia in horses by showing consistent anaesthetic distribution in relevant dental tissues.
  • Given its simplicity and demonstrated spread pattern, ILA could be a valuable adjunctive technique for equine dentists, especially before procedures like tooth extraction.
  • However, clinical studies involving live horses are required to confirm the efficacy, pain control benefits, and safety of this technique in practice.
  • If validated, ILA could improve pain management options in equine dentistry and enhance animal welfare during dental treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Teysen S, Demey W, Menzies R, Staszyk C, Birkhed D, Lundström T. (2025). Intraligamentary anaesthesia: a local anaesthesia technique in equine dentistry. Acta Vet Scand, 67(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00836-3

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 1
Pages: 49
PII: 49

Researcher Affiliations

Teysen, Stijn
  • DAP Vetrident, Geertskouter 32, Asse, 1730, Belgium. info@vetrident.be.
Demey, Wouter
  • DAP Equide, Stappersestraat 3, Schaffen, 3290, Belgium.
Menzies, Robert
  • Complete Veterinary Dental Care Pty Ltd, 132 Naroghid Road, Camperdown, VIC, 3260, Australia.
Staszyk, Carsten
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 98, 35392, Gießen, Germany.
Birkhed, Dowen
  • , Fersens Väg 14B, SE-211 42, Malmö, Sweden.
Lundström, Torbjörn
  • Djurtandvårdskliniken, Västra Husby, Norrköping, 605 96, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Anesthesia, Local / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, Local / methods
  • Periodontal Ligament / drug effects
  • Cadaver
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
  • Anesthesia, Dental / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, Dental / methods
  • Dentistry / veterinary
  • Dentistry / methods

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study did not require official or institutional ethical approval. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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