Prevalence and some clinical characteristics of equine cheek teeth diastemata in 471 horses examined in a UK first-opinion equine practice (2008 to 2009).
Abstract: Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are now recognised as a clinically significant equine disorder, but their prevalence in the general equine population is unknown. There is also limited information on the signalment of affected horses; the more commonly affected Triadan sites; and the shape and clinical characteristics of CT diastemata. During the 12-month study period (2008 to 2009), standardised records were obtained during routine dental examinations performed by five veterinarians in a first-opinion equine practice. Cheek teeth diastemata were identified in 49.9 per cent of all horses (n=471) of mean age 11 years (range one to 30 years), with 83.5 per cent of all diastemata affecting mandibular CT and 16.5 per cent affecting maxillary CT. The mean number of diastemata per case was 1.7 (range one to 20) and the mandibular 07 to 08 position was most commonly affected. Valve diastemata were more common (72.1 per cent prevalence) than open diastemata (27.9 per cent). Food trapping was present in 91.4 per cent of diastemata, with gingivitis and periodontal pockets adjacent to 34.2 per cent and 43.7 per cent, respectively. Halitosis was present in 45.5 per cent of affected horses. There was an age-related increase in both the prevalence of diastemata, and in the numbers of diastemata per affected horse, and horses over 15 years old had a significantly increased proportion of open diastemata.
Publication Date: 2012-06-15 PubMed ID: 22706040DOI: 10.1136/vr.100829Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Age Factors
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Dental Health
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Prevalence
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Observational Study
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of a dental disorder known as cheek teeth diastemata in horses, observing that nearly half of the examined horses were affected by this condition.
Research Context
- The research was prompted by an observed increase in cases of Cheek Teeth (CT) diastemata, a condition characterized by gaps between a horse’s teeth, which had been identified as a significant equine disorder. However, the prevalence of this condition in the wider horse population remained unknown.
- This study also aimed to gather information on the characteristics of horses typically affected by CT diastemata, areas most commonly affected, and the shape and clinical features of the condition.
Methodology
- The study was conducted over a period of 12 months (2008 to 2009) in a first-opinion equine practice in the UK, with five veterinarians performing routine dental examinations on a total of 471 horses, which ranged in age from one to 30 years.
Key Findings
- The prevalence of CT diastemata was found to be quite high, with 49.9% of the examined horses affected by it.
- Of the horses with diastemata, the condition occurred more frequently in mandibular CT (83.5%) than in maxillary CT (16.5%).
- The mean number of diastemata per affected horse was 1.7, with the 07 to 08 position in mandibular teeth most commonly affected.
- The researchers found two types of diastemata – valve and open. Valve diastemata were more common, with a prevalence of 72.1%, compared to open diastemata at 27.9%.
- Over 90% of horses with diastemata had evidence of food trapping, while gingivitis and periodontal pockets were seen adjacent to 34.2% and 43.7% of diastemata respectively. Furthermore, almost half (45.5%) of the examined horses with the condition exhibited halitosis (bad breath).
- The study highlighted an age-related increase in both the prevalence of diastemata and the numbers of diastemata per affected horse. It was observed that horses over 15 years of age had a significantly higher proportion of open diastemata.
Conclusions
- This study contributes valuable information about the prevalence and clinical characteristics of CT diastemata in horses, a previously understudied but significant equine disorder.
- Given the high prevalence rate, this data can help inform equine dental care and may prompt further exploration into the causes, prevention, and treatment of CT diastemata.
Cite This Article
APA
Walker H, Chinn E, Holmes S, Barwise-Munro L, Robertson V, Mould R, Bradley S, Shaw DJ, Dixon PM.
(2012).
Prevalence and some clinical characteristics of equine cheek teeth diastemata in 471 horses examined in a UK first-opinion equine practice (2008 to 2009).
Vet Rec, 171(2), 44.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.100829 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Dentistry / veterinary
- Diastema
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Prevalence
- Tooth Diseases / epidemiology
- Tooth Diseases / pathology
- Tooth Diseases / veterinary
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Górski K, Stefanik E, Turek B, Bereznowski A, Czopowicz M, Polkowska I, Domino M. Malocclusions and Dental Diseases in Privately Owned Horses in the Mazovia Region of Poland.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 11;12(22).
- Liuti T, Daniel CR, Dixon PM, Reardon RJM. Studies on Age-Related Changes in Equine Cheek Teeth Angulation and Dental Drift.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:804061.
- Zhu Y, Jiang W, Holyoak R, Liu B, Li J. Investigation of Oral Microbiome in Donkeys and the Effect of Dental Care on Oral Microbial Composition.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 30;10(12).
- Liuti T, Dixon PM. The use of the geometric morphometric method to illustrate shape difference in the skulls of different-aged horses.. Vet Res Commun 2020 Nov;44(3-4):137-145.
- Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 2: Risk factors associated with diastemata, periodontitis, occlusal pulp exposure, wear abnormalities, and malpositioned teeth.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1039-1046.
- Proost K, Pardon B, Pollaris E, Flahou T, Vlaminck L. Dental disease in alpacas. Part 1: Prevalence of dental disorders and their mutual relationships.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):1028-1038.
- Steinfort S, Obach-Schröck C, Röcken M, Theiss F, Failing K, Vogelsberg J, Staszyk C. The Equine Gingiva: A Gross Anatomical Evaluation.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:322.
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