Two- and three-dimensional computed tomographic anatomy of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of 126 equine cheek teeth. Part 2: Findings in teeth with macroscopic occlusal or computed tomographic lesions.
Abstract: Dental disease often presents a diagnostic challenge in the horse. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used in the evaluation of head related disease in the horse, but the CT appearance of the most common dental diseases of horses has not yet been fully described. Objective: To describe the CT appearance of the peripheral enamel, pulp, infundibular enamel and cement in equine cheek teeth with macroscopic occlusal or CT lesions. Methods: In this study, 126 cadaveric cheek teeth with eruption ages of between 05 and 19 years were evaluated for lesions of their infundibulae, pulp and enamel using occlusal surface morphology, 2- (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) CT and anatomical sectioning. Variations in teeth with no macroscopic lesions have been described in a previous study. The infundibular lesions were categorised further into one of 6 classifications. Results: Infundibular lesions were identified on CT in 90% (115/128) of infundibulae. Of these, 65% (83/128) had infundibular lesions on occlusal surface examination. The extent of infundibular lesions observed varied with age group. All infundibulae over 6 years post eruption had detectable lesions. Peripheral enamel hypoplasia and enamel prolapses, were observed in 10% (12/126) and 1.6% (2/126) of teeth, respectively. The CT appearance of teeth with pulp infections was seen to vary with differing pathologies. Conclusions: The high prevalence of infundibular lesions should encourage consideration of their clinical significance, in addition to the role of infundibulae in dental disease of the horse. Two-dimensional and 3D CT proved to be highly valuable imaging modalities for dental disease, enabling lesions within the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of equine cheek teeth to be easily detected. The results of this study will facilitate the use of 2D and 3D CT as clinical diagnostic tools for dental disease and aid in the selection of the most appropriate treatment protocol.
Publication Date: 2009-08-01 PubMed ID: 19642403DOI: 10.2746/042516409x391033Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study utilizes two-dimensional and three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate and describe the dental morphology of equine (horse) cheek teeth, especially in instances where dental anomalies or diseases could be observed both macroscopically and through CT imaging.
Methodology
- The research involved the examination of 126 cadaveric (dead) horse cheek teeth, where eruption ages ranged from 0.5 to 19 years.
- The examination focused on the infundibulae, pulps, and enamel of the teeth.
- The evaluation involved studying the tooth’s occlusal surface morphology and the detailed imaging obtained from 2D and 3D CT.
- Previous studies have described variations in teeth without any observable macroscopic lesions. However, in this study, infundibular lesions were further classified into one of six categories.
Results
- CT scans identified infundibular lesions in 90%, and occlusal surface examination detected such lesions in 65% of the examined infundibulae (teeth).
- All teeth older than six years post-eruption had noticeable lesions.
- Enamel anomalies, specifically peripheral enamel hypoplasia and enamel prolapse, were observed in 10% and 1.6% of teeth respectively.
- Diverse CT appearances were observed for teeth with varying pulpal pathologies.
Conclusion
- Given the high prevalence of infundibular lesions, the study encourages further consideration of their clinical significance and their role in equine dental disease.
- The use of 2D and 3D CT proved to be highly useful and valuable for dental disease imaging, facilitating the easy detection of lesions in the enamel, infundibulae, and pulp of equine cheek teeth.
- This study’s results could enhance the utilization of 2D and 3D CT as clinical diagnostic tools for dental disease in horses, by providing more accurate and detailed information about the anomalies present, which could greatly influence the decision regarding the best treatment protocol.
Cite This Article
APA
Windley Z, Weller R, Tremaine WH, Perkins JD.
(2009).
Two- and three-dimensional computed tomographic anatomy of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of 126 equine cheek teeth. Part 2: Findings in teeth with macroscopic occlusal or computed tomographic lesions.
Equine Vet J, 41(5), 441-447.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x391033 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Tooth Diseases / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Stieger-Vanegas SM, Hanna AL. The Role of Computed Tomography in Imaging Non-neurologic Disorders of the Head in Equine Patients.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:798216.
- Kau S, Mansfeld MD, Šoba A, Zwick T, Staszyk C. The facultative human oral pathogen Prevotella histicola in equine cheek tooth apical/ periapical infection: a case report.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Oct 30;17(1):343.
- Horbal A, Smith S, Dixon PM. A Computed Tomographic and Pathological Study of Equine Cheek Teeth Infundibulae Extracted From Asymptomatic Horses. Part 2: MicroCT, Gross, and Histological Findings.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:125.
- Horbal A, Smith S, Dixon PM. A Computed Tomographic (CT) and Pathological Study of Equine Cheek Teeth Infundibulae Extracted From Asymptomatic Horses. Part 1: Prevalence, Type and Location of Infundibular Lesions on CT Imaging.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:124.
- Liuti T, Smith S, Dixon PM. A Comparison of Computed Tomographic, Radiographic, Gross and Histological, Dental, and Alveolar Findings in 30 Abnormal Cheek Teeth from Equine Cadavers.. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:236.
- Schoppe C, Hellige M, Rohn K, Ohnesorge B, Bienert-Zeit A. Comparison of computed tomography and high-field (3.0 T) magnetic resonance imaging of age-related variances in selected equine maxillary cheek teeth and adjacent tissues.. BMC Vet Res 2017 Sep 6;13(1):280.
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