Treatment of equine cheek teeth by mechanical widening of diastemata in 60 horses (2000-2006).

The research article investigates the treatment of dental disease in horses through mechanical widening of diastema in their cheek teeth. The study presents the results and efficacy of this treatment in sixty horses presenting this condition.

Background

• The study begins by addressing the significance of cheek teeth (CT) diastemata in horses, describing it as a major cause of painful dental disease. The authors note the lack of comprehensive empirical data on the treatment of this condition, which is the motivation behind this research.

Objective and Methodology

• The main objective of this study is to gauge the response to mechanical widening in the treatment of cheek teeth diastema in horses.
• Data about the signs presented by the cases and treatment procedures were meticulously collected for analysis. Furthermore, subsequent re-examinations were performed to track the response to treatment, and the horse owners contributed follow-up information.

Results

• The study comprised sixty horses of various breeds, categorized as having primary (due to inadequate rostro-caudal CT compression) and secondary (related to other dental abnormalities) diastemata.
• Interestingly, the research showed that 82% of cases presented quidding, 35% had weight loss, 17% had bad breath, and 12% had issues with bitting. Additionally, 85% of the CT diastemata cases affected mandibular CT while the remaining 15% affected maxillary CT.
• Importantly, of the 273 identified diastemata in the horses, 207 were considered to have a significant association with periodontal food pocketing. These were subjected to a widening treatment to a specific diameter using a mechanical burr.
• Post-treatment results revealed that majority of the horses showed full improvement or good improvement with a median of 1.3 treatments for primary diastemata and a median of 2.2 treatments for secondary diastemata. There were a few instances where treatment resulted in slight or no improvement, particularly in horses with secondary diastemata.
• There were minor complications for a few horses, including transient oral infection post treatment and apical infection in a treated tooth unrelated to the diastema widening treatment.

Conclusion

• This research concludes that the mechanical widening of diastema is an effective treatment for periodontal pocketing in horses’ cheek teeth diastemata. The study further emphasizes the role of trained personnel in carrying out the treatment safely.
• While the treatment showed promising results, the findings highlight that repeated treatments are often necessary, especially in the case of secondary diastemata.