title: Evaluation of the long-term oral consequences of equine exodontia in 50 horses.
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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK. neil.townsend@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Neil B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Padraic M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Safia Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Barakzai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D014085:Tooth Migration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome