FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / The Equine Gingiva: A Histological Evaluation.
Frontiers in veterinary science2019; 6; 435; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00435

The Equine Gingiva: A Histological Evaluation.

Abstract: Equine periodontal disease in horses has long been recognized as a painful disease, leading to a poor condition. The disease is widespread and attracts growing attention in equine dental medicine. The understanding of the underlying etiological and pathological mechanisms of equine periodontal disease is necessary to develop effective prophylactic and treatment options. As a first step, a thorough description of the histological features of the healthy equine gingiva is required. Specimens were taken from six horses (3 mares, 3 geldings, age: 0.5-26 years). The animals were euthanized for reasons not related to this study. Heads were dissected and gingival specimens, including parts of the adjacent teeth, alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament, were obtained from several positions of the dentition. Histological sections were evaluated via light microscopy, with special attention to the structural components of the gingiva, i.e., the gingival sulcus, the epithelium, and the components of the lamina propria (LP). Although the equine gingiva showed the same structural components as described in humans and dogs, the equine junctional epithelium was adapted to the equine dental anatomy and attached to the equine-unique peripheral cementum. Leucocytic infiltrations (LI) of the LP, sulcular epithelium (SE) and junctional epithelium (JE) were frequently seen. The amount of LI was not associated with a macroscopically visual pathology (e.g., diastema or food entrapment) in the respective position. The gingival sulcus depth had an average depth of <1 mm.
Copyright © 2019 Steinfort, Röcken, Vogelsberg, Failing and Staszyk.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-12-13 PubMed ID: 31921900PubMed Central: PMC6923225DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00435Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 dives into the investigation of equine periodontal disease in horses by conducting a detailed study of the histology of the healthy equine gingiva. Sample specimens were taken from six horses and investigated via light microscopy, assessing the structure and anomalies in the gingiva.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aims to gain an enhanced understanding of equine periodontal disease to develop effective preventative measures and treatments.
  • As a primary step, it investigates the histological features of the healthy equine gingiva which provides a baseline for understanding deviations caused by the disease.

Methodology

  • The researchers obtained specimens from six horses that were euthanized due to reasons unrelated to this particular study.
  • They dissected the heads to get gingival specimens, which included parts of the adjacent teeth, the alveolar bone, and the periodontal ligament.
  • These specimens were then analyzed under light microscopy, focusing especially on the structural aspects of the gingiva.

Findings

  • The research found that the equine gingiva shares the same structural components as those found in humans and dogs. However, the equine junctional epithelium is adapted specifically to the dental anatomy of horses and attaches to the unique peripheral cementum found in equines.
  • The study observed leukocytic infiltrations (white blood cells moving into an area) in various parts of the gingiva. This infiltration was not associated with visible pathological conditions like diastema (gap between teeth) or food entrapment in the respective position.
  • The depth of the gingival sulcus, a V-shaped crevice surrounding the tooth, was found to be less than 1mm on average, providing valuable insights into the macro and microanatomical make up of the equine gingiva and its differing attributes in comparison to other species.

Cite This Article

APA
Steinfort S, Röcken M, Vogelsberg J, Failing K, Staszyk C. (2019). The Equine Gingiva: A Histological Evaluation. Front Vet Sci, 6, 435. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00435

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 435
PII: 435

Researcher Affiliations

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

References

This article includes 70 references
  1. Klugh DO. Principles of periodontal disease. In Principles of Equine Dentistry. London: Manson Publishing; (2010). p. 180–202.
    doi: 10.1201/b15198-17google scholar: lookup
  2. Staszyk C. Anatomie. In: Vogt C. editor. Lehrbuch der Zahnheilkunde Beim Pferd. Stuttgart: Schattauer; (2011). 1–30.
  3. Staszyk C, Suske A, Pöschke A. Equine dental and periodontal anatomy. Equine Vet Educ (2015) 9:474–81.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12317google scholar: lookup
  4. Tremaine WH. Diastema and periodontal disease in the horse. Equine Vet Educ (2004) 4:192–3.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2004.tb00296.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  5. Dixon PM, Dacre I. A review of equine dental disorders.. Vet J 2005 Mar;169(2):165-87.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022pubmed: 15727909google scholar: lookup
  6. Ramzan PHL. Cheek tooth malocclusions and periodontal disease. Equine Vet Educ (2010) 9:445–50.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2010.00113.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  7. Casey M. A new understanding of oral and dental pathology of the equine cheek teeth.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2013 Aug;29(2):301-24, v.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2013.04.010pubmed: 23915662google scholar: lookup
  8. Kennedy RS, Dixon PM. The aetiopathogenesis of equine periodontal disease - a fresh perspective. Equine Vet Educ (2016) 3:161–8.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12563google scholar: lookup
  9. Staszyk C, Bienert-Zeit A. The equine periodontium: the (re)model tissue.. Vet J 2012 Dec;194(3):280-1.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.08.015pubmed: 23031306google scholar: lookup
  10. Page RC, Schroeder HE. Pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease. A summary of current work.. Lab Invest 1976 Mar;34(3):235-49.
    pubmed: 765622
  11. Preshaw PM. Periodontal pathogenesis. In: Newman MG, Takeim HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA. editor. Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; (2015). 76–100.
  12. Cox A, Dixon P, Smith S. Histopathological lesions associated with equine periodontal disease.. Vet J 2012 Dec;194(3):386-91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.026pubmed: 22633827google scholar: lookup
  13. Zachrisson BU, Schultz-Haudt SD. A comparative histological study of clinically normal and chronically inflamed gingivae from the same individuals.. Odontol Tidskr 1968 Mar 29;76(2):179-92.
    pubmed: 5247137
  14. Attström R, Graf-de Beer M, Schroeder HE. Clinical and histologic characteristics of normal gingiva in dogs.. J Periodontal Res 1975 Jul;10(3):115-27.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1975.tb00016.xpubmed: 126310google scholar: lookup
  15. Laurell L, Rylander H, Sundin Y. Histologic characteristics of clinically healthy gingiva in adolescents.. Scand J Dent Res 1987 Dec;95(6):456-62.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1987.tb01960.xpubmed: 3480565google scholar: lookup
  16. Berglundh T, Lindhe J, Sterrett JD. Clinical and structural characteristics of periodontal tissues in young and old dogs.. J Clin Periodontol 1991 Sep;18(8):616-23.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.1991.tb00099.xpubmed: 1724454google scholar: lookup
  17. Schroeder HE, Listgarten MA. The gingival tissues: the architecture of periodontal protection.. Periodontol 2000 1997 Feb;13:91-120.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.1997.tb00097.xpubmed: 9567925google scholar: lookup
  18. Fiorellini JP. Anatomy of the periodontium. In: Newman MG, Takeim HH, Klokkevold PR, Carranza FA. editor. Carranza's Clinical Periodontology. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; Saunders Elsevier; (2012). 12–27.
  19. Liebich H-G. Funktionelle Histologie der Haussäugetiere und Vögel. Germany: Schattauer; (2012).
  20. Nanci A, Bosshardt DD. Structure of periodontal tissues in health and disease.. Periodontol 2000 2006;40:11-28.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2005.00141.xpubmed: 16398683google scholar: lookup
  21. Klugh DO. Equine periodontal disease. Clin Tech Equine Pract (2005) 2:135–47.
    doi: 10.1053/j.ctep.2005.04.005google scholar: lookup
  22. Klugh DO. A review of equine periodontal disease. In: American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), editor. In: Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Convention of the AAEP. San Antonio, TX: (2006). 551–8.
  23. Stepanuik K, Hinrichs JE. The structure and function of the periodontium. In: Niemiec BA. editor. Veterinary Periodontology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; (2013). 3–18.
  24. Listgarten MA. Electron microscopic study of the gingivo-dental junction of man.. Am J Anat 1966 Jul;119(1):147-77.
    doi: 10.1002/aja.1001190109pubmed: 5967891google scholar: lookup
  25. Kobayashi K, Rose GG, Mahan CJ. Ultrastructure of the dento-epithelial junction.. J Periodontal Res 1976 Nov;11(6):313-30.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1976.tb00086.xpubmed: 135827google scholar: lookup
  26. Pöllänen MT, Salonen JI, Uitto VJ. Structure and function of the tooth-epithelial interface in health and disease.. Periodontol 2000 2003;31:12-31.
    doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0757.2003.03102.xpubmed: 12656993google scholar: lookup
  27. Schroeder HE, Listgarten MA. The junctional epithelium: from strength to defense.. J Dent Res 2003 Mar;82(3):158-61.
    doi: 10.1177/154405910308200302pubmed: 12598541google scholar: lookup
  28. Kinumatsu T, Hashimoto S, Muramatsu T, Sasaki H, Jung HS, Yamada S, Shimono M. Involvement of laminin and integrins in adhesion and migration of junctional epithelium cells.. J Periodontal Res 2009 Feb;44(1):13-20.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2007.01036.xpubmed: 18973537google scholar: lookup
  29. Nakamura M. Histological and immunological characteristics of the junctional epithelium.. Jpn Dent Sci Rev 2018 May;54(2):59-65.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jdsr.2017.11.004pmc: PMC5944073pubmed: 29755616google scholar: lookup
  30. KOHL JT, ZANDER HA. Morphology of interdental gingival tissues.. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1961 Mar;14:287-95.
    doi: 10.1016/0030-4220(61)90290-0pubmed: 13757572google scholar: lookup
  31. McHugh WD. The interdental gingivae.. J Periodontal Res 1971;6(4):227-36.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1971.tb00613.xpubmed: 4272016google scholar: lookup
  32. Schroeder HE. The Periodontium. Berlin; Heidelberg; New York, NY; Tokyo: Springer Verlag; (1986).
  33. ORBAN B. Histology and physiology of the gingiva.. J Am Dent Assoc 1952 Jun;44(6):624-8.
    doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1952.0121pubmed: 14927300google scholar: lookup
  34. Schroeder HE, Theilade J. Electron microscopy of normal human gingival epithelium.. J Periodontal Res 1966;1(2):95-119.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1966.tb01850.xpubmed: 4225000google scholar: lookup
  35. Schroeder HE, Listgarten MA. Fine structure of the developing epithelial attachment of human teeth.. Monogr Dev Biol 1971;2:1-134.
    pubmed: 5005682
  36. Winning TA, Townsend GC. Oral mucosal embryology and histology.. Clin Dermatol 2000 Sep-Oct;18(5):499-511.
    doi: 10.1016/S0738-081X(00)00140-1pubmed: 11134845google scholar: lookup
  37. Kyllar M, Witter K, Tichy F. Gingival stippling in dogs: clinical and structural characteristics.. Res Vet Sci 2010 Apr;88(2):195-202.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.07.013pubmed: 19698965google scholar: lookup
  38. Caffesse RG, Karring T, Nasjleti CE. Keratinizing potential of sulcular epithelium.. J Periodontol 1977 Mar;48(3):140-6.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1977.48.3.140pubmed: 402465google scholar: lookup
  39. Caffesse RG, Nasjleti CE, Castelli WA. The role of sulcular environment in controlling epithelial keratinization.. J Periodontol 1979 Jan;50(1):1-6.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1979.50.1.1pubmed: 105124google scholar: lookup
  40. ZACHINSKY L. Range of histologic variation in clinically normal gingiva.. J Dent Res 1954 Aug;33(4):580-9.
    doi: 10.1177/00220345540330042001pubmed: 13184043google scholar: lookup
  41. ORBAN B. Clinical and histologic study of the surface characteristics of the gingiva.. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1948 Sep;1(9):827-41.
    doi: 10.1016/0030-4220(48)90014-0pubmed: 18880859google scholar: lookup
  42. Owings JR Jr. A clinical investigation of the relationship between stippling and surface keratinization of the attached gingiva.. J Periodontol 1969 Oct;40(10):588-92.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1969.40.10.588pubmed: 5260095google scholar: lookup
  43. Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Periodontology. In: Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. editor. Veterinary dentistry. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; (1997). 186–231.
  44. Suomi JD, Barbano JP. Patterns of gingivitis.. J Periodontol 1968 Mar;39(2):71-4.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1968.39.2.71pubmed: 5239073google scholar: lookup
  45. Massler M. The P-M-A index for the assessment of gingivitis.. J Periodontol 1967 Nov-Dec;38(6):Suppl:592-601.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1967.38.6_part2.592pubmed: 5237682google scholar: lookup
  46. Palumbo A. The anatomy and physiology of the healthy periodontium. In: Fotinos Panagakos editor. Gingival Diseases-Their Aetiology, Prevention and Treatment. Croatia: InTech; (2011). 1–21.
    doi: 10.5772/25275google scholar: lookup
  47. Listgarten MA. Similarity of epithelial relationships in the gingiva of rat and man.. J Periodontol 1975 Nov;46(11):677-80.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1975.46.11.677pubmed: 1058946google scholar: lookup
  48. Caffesse RG, Nasjleti CJ, Kowalski CJ, Castelli WA. The effect of mechanical stimulation on the keratinization of sulcular epithelium.. J Periodontol 1982 Feb;53(2):89-92.
    doi: 10.1902/jop.1982.53.2.89pubmed: 6174721google scholar: lookup
  49. Freedman HL, Listgarten MA, Taichman NS. Electron microscopic features of chronically inflamed human gingiva.. J Periodontal Res 1968;3(4):313-27.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1968.tb01937.xpubmed: 4250001google scholar: lookup
  50. Attström R. Presence of leukocytes in crevices of healthy and chronically inflamed gingivae.. J Periodontal Res 1970;5(1):42-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1970.tb01836.xpubmed: 4255145google scholar: lookup
  51. Gavin JB. Ultrastructural features of chronic marginal gingivitis.. J Periodontal Res 1970;5(1):19-29.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1970.tb01833.xpubmed: 4255141google scholar: lookup
  52. Garant PR, Mulvihill JE. The ultrastructure of leukocyte emigration through the sulcular epithelium in the beagle dog.. J Periodontal Res 1971;6(4):266-77.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1971.tb00617.xpubmed: 4272020google scholar: lookup
  53. Garant PR, Mulvihill JE. The ultrastructure of clinically normal sulcular tissues in the beagle dog.. J Periodontal Res 1971;6(4):252-65.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1971.tb00616.xpubmed: 4272019google scholar: lookup
  54. Bosshardt DD, Lang NP. The junctional epithelium: from health to disease.. J Dent Res 2005 Jan;84(1):9-20.
    doi: 10.1177/154405910508400102pubmed: 15615869google scholar: lookup
  55. Hull PS, Soames JV, Davies RM. Periodontal disease in a Beagle dog colony.. J Comp Pathol 1974 Apr;84(2):143-50.
    doi: 10.1016/0021-9975(74)90055-3pubmed: 4853585google scholar: lookup
  56. Listgarten MA. Electron microscopic features of the newly formed epithelial attachment after gingival surgery. A preliminary report.. J Periodontal Res 1967;2(1):46-52.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1967.tb01995.xpubmed: 4229973google scholar: lookup
  57. Listgarten M. Ultrastructure of the dento-gingival junction after gingivectomy.. J Periodontal Res 1972;7(2):151-60.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1972.tb00640.xpubmed: 4272041google scholar: lookup
  58. Saito I, Watanabe O, Kawahara H, Igarashi Y, Yamamura T, Shimono M. Intercellular junctions and the permeability barrier in the junctional epithelium. A study with freeze-fracture and thin sectioning.. J Periodontal Res 1981 Sep;16(5):467-80.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1981.tb02012.xpubmed: 6458684google scholar: lookup
  59. Hashimoto S, Yamamura T, Shimono M. Morphometric analysis of the intercellular space and desmosomes of rat junctional epithelium.. J Periodontal Res 1986 Sep;21(5):510-20.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1986.tb01487.xpubmed: 2946852google scholar: lookup
  60. Attström R, Egelberg J. Emigration of blood neutrophils and monocytes into the gingival crevices.. J Periodontal Res 1970;5(1):48-55.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1970.tb01837.xpubmed: 4255146google scholar: lookup
  61. Klinge B, Matsson L, Attström R. Histopathology of initial gingivitis in humans. A pilot study.. J Clin Periodontol 1983 Jul;10(4):364-9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.1983.tb01285.xpubmed: 6577029google scholar: lookup
  62. Schroeder HE. Quantitative parameters of early human gingival inflammation.. Arch Oral Biol 1970 May;15(5):383-400.
    doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(70)90066-Xpubmed: 5270171google scholar: lookup
  63. Griffiths GS, Sterne JA, Wilton JM, Eaton KA, Johnson NW. Associations between volume and flow rate of gingival crevicular fluid and clinical assessments of gingival inflammation in a population of British male adolescents.. J Clin Periodontol 1992 Aug;19(7):464-70.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.1992.tb01158.xpubmed: 1430281google scholar: lookup
  64. Brecx MC, Gautschi M, Gehr P, Lang NP. Variability of histologic criteria in clinically healthy human gingiva.. J Periodontal Res 1987 Nov;22(6):468-72.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1987.tb02057.xpubmed: 2963106google scholar: lookup
  65. Jin Z, Uhlen I, Wei-Jia K, Mao-li D. Cochlear homeostasis and its role in genetic deafness. J Otol (2009) 1:15–22.
    doi: 10.1016/S1672-2930(09)50003-7google scholar: lookup
  66. Zdebik AA, Wangemann P, Jentsch TJ. Potassium ion movement in the inner ear: insights from genetic disease and mouse models.. Physiology (Bethesda) 2009 Oct;24:307-16.
    doi: 10.1152/physiol.00018.2009pmc: PMC4415853pubmed: 19815857google scholar: lookup
  67. Kindlová M. The blood supply of the marginal periodontium in Macacus rhesus.. Arch Oral Biol 1965 Nov-Dec;10(6):869-74.
    doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(65)90080-4pubmed: 4960054google scholar: lookup
  68. Carranza FA Jr, Itoiz ME, Cabrini RL, Dotto CA. A study of periodontal vascularization in different laboratory animals.. J Periodontal Res 1966;1(2):120-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1966.tb01851.xpubmed: 4225043google scholar: lookup
  69. Egelberg J. The blood vessels of the dento-gingival junction.. J Periodontal Res 1966;1(3):163-79.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1966.tb01857.xpubmed: 4225527google scholar: lookup
  70. Little WL. Periodontal Disease in the Horse. J Comparative Pathol Therapeutics (1913) 26:240–9.
    doi: 10.1016/S0368-1742(13)80041-0google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Zapf AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. Periodontal structures in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: A histological evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1114445.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1114445pubmed: 36733635google scholar: lookup
  2. Krcal C, Licka T. Temperatures of the Mouthpiece of the Bit of Carriage Horses over a Period of 11 Months. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 7;15(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15172623pubmed: 40941418google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,383 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.