The use of oral endoscopy for detection of cheek teeth abnormalities in 300 horses.

The research paper evaluates a potentially superior method for identifying dental abnormalities in horses using endoscopy, showing that it was able to safely and non-invasively identify common issues such as sharp enamel edges, focal overgrowths, and fissure fractures in a study conducted on 300 horses.

Study Objective

• The primary aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of endoscopic examination as a standard routine for checking dental health in horses. This method was compared to traditional techniques to ascertain its superiority in detecting dental abnormalities, specifically subtle changes in cheek teeth.

Procedure

• 300 horses were sedated and examined under field and hospital conditions. A rigid endoscope was used to carry out the examination, which covered the occlusal (biting), lingual (towards the tongue), and buccal (towards the cheek) surfaces of all rows of cheek teeth in their oral cavities. The process was standardized to maintain uniformity across all examinations.

Findings

• The most common abnormalities discovered in the cheek teeth were sharp enamel edges, which were found in 96.3% of the horses. Other commonly found issues included focal overgrowths (64.3%), fissure fractures (54.3%), diastema (gaps between teeth – 24.3%), and infundibular hypoplasia/caries (tooth decay or cavities in the infundibulum – 48.3%).

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that endoscopy could be a safer and non-invasive method for diagnosing dental abnormalities in horses. It appeared to be more efficient in detecting minor cheek teeth changes than the standard clinical oral examination. This makes it a useful addition to regular horse healthcare procedures.