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Frontiers in veterinary science2019; 6; 322; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00322

The Equine Gingiva: A Gross Anatomical Evaluation.

Abstract: Equine periodontal disease (ePD) usually starts with food impaction, formation of diastemata, gingival inflammation and formation of periodontal pockets. This process proceeds toward the dentoalveolar space, causing detachment of tooth supporting periodontal fibers. Although several therapeutical procedures have been proposed, ePD is often only diagnosed in advanced stages, requiring dental extraction. A similar dilemma has been observed in small animal medicine, but has been overcome by the introduction of reliable examination protocols for the early diagnosis of periodontal diseases (PD). These protocols are based on detailed anatomical descriptions of healthy gingiva, allowing for the determination of the pathognomonic signs of the onset of PD and providing a basis for grading systems and treatment plans. Consequently, proposals have also been made for periodontal examination protocols in horses. However, these protocols were widely adopted from small animal medicine assuming a similar anatomy of the equine and canine gingiva. To provide a solid anatomical basis for equine specific periodontal examinations, 20 equine heads were examined macroscopically, with special attention to the gingival sulcus, the gingival margin and the interdental papillae. Constant morphological patterns of the gingival margin and the interdental papillae were found for the vestibular and lingual/palatal aspects of the upper and lower cheek teeth arcades, as well as for the incisor arcades. A gingival sulcus measuring greater than 1 mm was present in only 6% of the investigated specimens. The inspection of the gingival margin and the interdental papillae, as well as the recognition of a gingival sulcus, may serve as criteria to establish equine specific periodontal investigation protocols.
Copyright © 2019 Steinfort, Obach-Schröck, Röcken, Theiss, Failing, Vogelsberg and Staszyk.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-04 PubMed ID: 31637247PubMed Central: PMC6787712DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00322Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is about a study conducted to better understand the anatomy of horse gingiva, as a way to establish a precise examination protocol for early diagnosis of equine periodontal disease.

Introduction

Equine periodontal disease (ePD) shows its early signs through the accumulation of food, inflammation of the gums, and the formation of pockets between the gum and tooth. This disease advances to the tooth-supporting fibers, often leading to dental extractions due to late diagnosis. Small animals have overcome this issue through the use of detailed examination protocols based on comprehensive anatomical descriptions, permitting early detection, grading, and treatment planning. However, the application of such protocols in horses has been imprecise, primarily due to the assumption of similar gingiva anatomy between horses and small animals.

Methodology

To address this, the research involved the macroscopic examination of 20 equine heads.

  • The study was focused on understanding the structure of the gingival sulcus (the groove where the tooth meets the gum), the boundary of the gums, and the interdental papillae (tiny bumps on the gum surface).

Findings

The study discovered consistent morphological patterns:

  • Relating to the boundary of the gums and the interdental papillae, on both the insides and outsides of both jaws as well as the incisor region.
  • Regarding the measurement of the gingival sulcus, it was greater than 1mm in only 6% of the studied specimens.

Implications

Understanding these elements – the interdental papillae, the gingival margin, and the depth of the gingival sulcus – provides the necessary foundation for creating equine-specific dental examination protocols.

The creation of such protocols can enable early detection and grading of ePD, similar to the successful methods already used in small animals. It can potentially reduce the occurrence of advanced ePD cases, and hence, decrease the need for dental extractions in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Steinfort S, Obach-Schröck C, Röcken M, Theiss F, Failing K, Vogelsberg J, Staszyk C. (2019). The Equine Gingiva: A Gross Anatomical Evaluation. Front Vet Sci, 6, 322. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00322

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 322
PII: 322

Researcher Affiliations

Steinfort, Saskia
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Obach-Schröck, Carmen
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Röcken, Michael
  • Clinic of Equine Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Theiss, Felix
  • Vetsuisse Faculty, Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Failing, Klaus
  • Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Vogelsberg, Jörg
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Staszyk, Carsten
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nitzsche AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. The Gingiva of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: A Macroscopic Anatomical Evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:786971.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.786971pubmed: 35146012google scholar: lookup
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