Morphology of the occlusal surfaces of premolar and molar teeth as an indicator of age in the horse.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of cheek tooth occlusal surface morphology as an indicator of age in the horse using a blinded cross-sectional design. Twenty horses of varying age, breed and sex were used. Horses of known age (foaling date) were euthanized for reasons other than dental disease. Following disarticulation of the head and sectioning of the mandibles, cheek teeth were cleaned using running water and photographs were taken of each arcade. Using a computer-based program, the total surface area of each premolar and molar, the outer enamel ridge perimeter distance, infundibular surface areas and perimeter distances were measured. Further anatomical data were calculated from these measurements and a statistical analysis of the relationship between horse age and cheek tooth occlusal morphology was performed. Results indicated that multiple anatomical regions within the occlusal surface of the equine cheek tooth can be used as an indicator of age. There are important differences between mandibular and maxillary teeth as well as between teeth in the same dental arcade. Horse size is also of significance. The mesial infundibular surface area as a percentage of the total surface area of tooth 111, and the mesiodistal length of 1/2/3/4 09 teeth, most closely approximates age within our mathematical model. Cheek tooth morphological data can be used to predict age in horses that possess all their permanent dentition. In cases in which the age of horses cannot be accurately determined from incisor examination, cheek teeth may be used.
Publication Date: 2008-11-26 PubMed ID: 19025139DOI: 10.1177/089875640802500304Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the possibility of using the structure of horses’ cheek teeth as an age indicator, using a sample of twenty horses of various ages, breeds, and genders. The results reaffirmed the viability of this method to determine the age of horses, highlighting that several aspects of the teeth’s occlusal surface could act as reliable age indicators.
Research Methodology
- Twenty horses of different ages, breeds, and genders were selected for the study. These horses, with known age data, were euthanized for reasons unrelated to dental conditions.
- The horses’ heads were disarticulated and the mandibles were sectioned post-euthanasia. The cheek teeth were then thoroughly cleaned and photographed.
- A computer software was utilized to measure the total surface area of each premolar and molar, the perimeter distance of the outer enamel ridge, the infundibular surface areas, and the perimeter distances.
- More precise anatomical details were derived from these measurements, which were statistically analyzed to establish their correlation with the horse’s age.
Findings
- The structure of several regions on the occlusal surface of cheek teeth can reliably indicate the horse’s age.
- Differences were observed between mandibular and maxillary teeth, and among teeth within the same dental arcade.
- The horse’s size also plays a significant role in this relation.
- The research identifies the mesial infundibular surface area as a percentage of the total tooth surface area, particularly for tooth 111, and the mesiodistal length of teeth numbered 1/2/3/4 09, as the most effective indicators within their mathematical model.
- Based on these results, the researchers concluded that morphological data from cheek teeth can determine the age of horses, as long as all their permanent dentition is intact.
- This method can be practical in situations where age estimation through incisor examination is not feasible or accurate.
Cite This Article
APA
Carmalt JL, Allen AL.
(2008).
Morphology of the occlusal surfaces of premolar and molar teeth as an indicator of age in the horse.
J Vet Dent, 25(3), 182-188.
https://doi.org/10.1177/089875640802500304 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. carmalt_vet@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Age Determination by Teeth / methods
- Age Determination by Teeth / veterinary
- Animals
- Bicuspid / anatomy & histology
- Bicuspid / growth & development
- Breeding
- Dental Occlusion, Balanced
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / growth & development
- Male
- Molar / anatomy & histology
- Molar / growth & development
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Khazaeel K, Pesarakli H, Mashhadi AG, Borujeni MP. Age estimation of Arabian mares by incisors morphometry and dentition changes.. Vet Res Commun 2022 Jun;46(2):405-417.
- Pollaris E, Broeckx BJG, Rajasekharan S, Cauwels R, Vlaminck L. Fracture Resistance of Equine Cheek Teeth With and Without Occlusal Fissures: A Standardized ex vivo Model.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:699940.
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