Recent advances in the treatment and prevention of equine peripheral caries.

This research investigates equine peripheral caries, a common dental condition in horses that causes the degradation of tooth material. The study examines the causes of the condition and explores recent advancements in its treatment and prevention.

Understanding Equine Peripheral Caries

• Equine peripheral caries is a condition that impacts the dental health of horses, specifically the clinical crown of equine cheek teeth.
• It’s marked by demineralization and degradation of tooth material, and can cause significant pain and morbidity in severe cases.
• The research indicates that this issue mainly affects the clinical crown of the tooth, which is above the gingival (gum) margin. It doesn’t impact the reserve crown that is situated below the gingival margin and thus protected from the environmental conditions in the oral cavity.

Causes of Equine Peripheral Caries

• The onset of peripheral caries in horses is attributed to changes in oral pH levels.
• Several risk factors have been identified, such as the ingestion of high sugar feeds like oaten hay and a moderate level of concentrated feed. Additionally, access to acidic drinking water can also contribute.
• Other risks include breed, with Thoroughbreds demonstrating a higher predisposition, limited access to pastures, and existing dental or periodontal disease.

Recovery and Prevention of Equine Peripheral Caries

• Further research has shown that the affected teeth can recover if the instigating factor is identified and eliminated.
• Allowing the unaffected reserve crown to replace the damaged clinical crown can lead to improvements in the condition within a few months.
• Signs of recovery (inactive caries) include a change in the tooth’s colour to a darker shade, the appearance of a new layer of unaffected cementum at the gingival margin, and the presence of a smooth hard reflective surface, suggesting that the newly grown tooth is unaffected.
• Peripheral caries, despite being a common condition in horses, is often neglected. Understanding its causes can enable improved management practices to prevent and treat the condition effectively.