The association between oral examination findings and computed tomographic appearance of the equine temporomandibular joint.

The research article investigates the relationship between dental problems in horses and variations in the structure of the equine Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) as visualized with Computed Tomography (CT).

Overview

The study was conducted to determine if there is any correlation between specific oral and dental problems in horses and changes in the structure of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), which is a critical part of the skeletal structure that connects the jaw to the skull. The researchers performed CT scans on the TMJ of 201 horses under examination for potential oral and dental problems.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted a complete oral examination and used CT scan to study the upper cervical and skull region of 201 horses from three veterinary practices.
• Key information including age, breed, sex, clinical presentation, and practice location were also documented.
• They further documented any changes in the contour and structure of the mandibular condyle (a rounded protrusion at the end of the mandible that fits into the fossa), mandibular fossa (the socket into which the condyle fits), and the intra-articular disc (a small disc within the joint).

Results

• The results showed that horses with irregular TMJs tended to be older than those with normal TMJs.
• Interestingly, horses diagnosed with periodontal disease (a range of conditions affecting the structures supporting the teeth) were less likely to have anomalies in the TMJ compared to horses without oral issues.
• However, horses suffering from infundibular disease (an oral condition in horses causing cavity formations) were more probable to have TMJ abnormalities.

Conclusions

• Since the study was cross-sectional, it was challenging to establish whether the oral issues preceded the changes in the TMJ. Hence, the temporal ordering of these pathological changes remains uncertain.
• Despite examining a large number of horses of various ages, the actual biological significance of the observed relationship between oral or dental disease and anatomically noticeable disorders of TMJ remains vague.