Lateral buccotomy for removal of a supernumerary cheek tooth in a horse.

The study presents a case where a 3-year-old Standardbred horse developed a supernumerary tooth causing swelling in its cheek region, and the tooth was successfully removed through a surgical procedure called lateral buccotomy without post-surgery complications.

Research Context

• The concern revolved around a 3-year-old female Standardbred horse who was showing symptoms such as firm swelling on the right side of her face roughly in line with the facial crest and another firm swelling inside the mouth close to the erupted cheek teeth.
• From the clinical symptoms, a diagnosis was done to identify the root cause of the swelling.

Diagnosis

• A radiographic examination of the horse’s skull revealed the underlying cause: the horse had a supernumerary tooth, or an extra tooth, which was located unusually in front of the third premolar tooth, instead of behind the last molar where they are typically found.
• Supernumerary teeth can cause complications like displacement of other teeth, overcrowding, and improper bite, while also leading to pain and discomfort for the animal.

Treatment and Procedure

• On discovering the source of the problem, the team decided to remove the supernumerary tooth through a surgical procedure called lateral buccotomy, a type of oral surgery that involves making an incision in the cheek to gain access to the oral cavity.
• This approach was selected as it is most appropriate for accessing and removing teeth located rostrally in both the upper (maxillary) and lower (mandibular) jaws.

Post-Surgery and Conclusion

• The horse did not experience any complications following the procedure and was able to return to racing – an indicator of successful treatment and recovery.
• The outcome of this case study highlights the effectiveness of lateral buccotomy as a procedure for removing rostrally located supernumerary teeth in horses.
• The possibility of supernumerary teeth not only being positioned behind the last molar tooth but also being present in different locations throughout the upper dental arcade is also emphasized.