Occlusal Fissures in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Prospective Longitudinal in vivo Study.

This research investigates the development and implications of fissures on the chewing or cheek teeth of horses, and their potential to lead to tooth fractures. Over a three-year period, the researchers studied the dental health of 36 horses, and found that the presence of fissures of any kind, location of the tooth, and the time period all proved to be significant factors in the development of tooth fractures.

Research Methodology

• The research was an observational longitudinal study that involved close dental monitoring of 36 horses over a period of 3 years. Examining the horses every six months, video recordings were used to track the evolution of detected fissures.
• These fissures were categorized into three types: 467 type 1a, 271 type 1b, and 47 type 2. Their characteristics and patterns, including their continuous presence, disappearance, changes in length, configuration, or colour, were studied carefully.
• The study further sought to identify the impact of potential predictors on the development of tooth fractures, performing regression analysis to that end.

Findings

• Detailed observation of 785 fissures revealed that some of them evolved into partial crown fractures. These fractures were observed in 52 cheek teeth across 22 out of the total 36 horses. What’s noteworthy is that a significant number (59) of these fractures developed from the previously observed fissures.
• Upon closer investigation, the study found that all types of fissures were a substantial risk factor for the development of a crown fracture. Type 2 fissures emerged with the highest odds.
• Other significant factors influencing the risk of developing tooth fractures included the length of follow-up time, the position of the tooth (with mandibular teeth being particularly vulnerable), and the lingual side of the tooth.
• It should be noted that all fractured teeth observed through this study were “non-complicated”, suggesting that they did not lead to serious dental illnesses or maladies such as endodontal disease.

Limitations and Future Suggestions

• The study acknowledges that it lost track of some of the horses prematurely, which may have influenced the final results. The authors also suggest that a longer follow-up period may have allowed observation and evaluation of the risk for pulp disease subsequent to partial crown fractures.

This study confirms the link between the presence of fissures on the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth and the development of crown fractures. This finding calls for further research to explore the potential need for preventative measures and treatment options for horses with these fissures to minimize potential dental damage.