Evaluation of the long-term oral consequences of equine exodontia in 50 horses

Neil B. Townsend, P. M. Dixon, S. Z. Barakzai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The aims of this study were to objectively evaluate and quantify the process of post-extraction cheek teeth (CT) dental drift in horses, and to report on associated disorders of CT wear and long-term periodontal health. Fifty horses that had CT oral extraction because of apical infection were prospectively re-examined and a full oral examination, including measurements of some dental parameters, was performed.

Narrowing of the extraction space was noted in all cases with complete closure occurring in 18% of horses. The rate of dental drift was calculated as 15.7% of extraction space/year (range 4–50%) and was not associated with the age at extraction (P = 0.78) or frequency of dental care since extraction (P = 0.48). There was a significant negative relationship between the rate of dental drift and the duration of time since extraction (P = 0.008). Overgrowths were present on the opposite CT row in 98% of horses, including opposite the extracted CT and on the Triadan 06s and 11s. No significant difference was noted in either the number of diastemata (P = 0.9) or periodontal disease score (P = 0.8) between the extraction and the contralateral cheek tooth rows.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-424
Number of pages6
JournalVeterinary Journal
Volume178
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2008

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Equine dentistry
  • Cheek teeth
  • Post-extraction dental drift

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