Post mortem survey of peripheral dental caries in 510 Swedish horses.

This study examines peripheral caries (PC), a dental disorder in horses, assessing its prevalence, location, and severity in a population of Swedish horses. The findings reveal that PC is common in horses under certain conditions and could progress to cause serious dental problems, especially in the presence of concurrent infundibular caries.

Study Methodology

• The researchers conducted a post-mortem study on 510 horse skulls at two Swedish equine abattoirs to assess the extent and severity of peripheral caries (PC).
• The study focused on the prevalence and location of PC specifically in the cheek teeth of the horses.

Key Findings

• Research findings show that PC only affected the cheek teeth and was present in 6.1% (31 out of 510) of the skulls examined.
• The disorder predominantly affected the peripheral cementum, with 87% of PC in the 29 mature horses found in the 3 caudal cheek teeth (Triadan 09-11).
• Concurrent infundibular caries, which affected most maxillary cheek teeth (an average of 9.7 per skull), was present in 32% of the skulls with PC.
• The study found that trotting horses, particularly those believed to be on a diet high in concentrate and silage, were more likely to suffer from PC in this population.

Implications

• The researchers found food usually stuck tightly to the PC lesions, potentially promoting the progression of the disease.
• Increased levels of diastemata were noted in horses with PC. Also, periodontal disease was discovered in areas adjacent to some PC lesions, indicating a connection between these dental problems.
• From the study conclusions, PC is a common disorder among horses managed under specific conditions and can progress to cause severe dental problems, particularly if it co-occurs with widespread infundibular caries.

Recommendations and Conclusion

• Due to the potential severity of the disorder, equine clinicians need to be aware and knowledgeable about this substantial dental problem.
• Further research is required to determine the causes and preventative measures of peripheral caries and its treatment options to manage and control the disease effectively.