Biomechanical analysis of the masticatory movement before and after adjusting dental occlusion in equine

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate through three-dimensional kinematic analysis the influence of occlusal adjustment by tooth wear in masticatory biomechanics of horses. Seven clinically healthy thoroughbred Arabian horses with strong occlusal irregularities were used, of which seven castrated males and one female of between seven and nineteen years of age. Three digital video cameras and seven spherical reflective markers placed on the horses’ face were employed. The animals were filmed twice in succession: while chewing hay before and after the occlusal adjustment by tooth wear. Following that, kinematic analysis was made of the movements obtained by means of the images which were synchronized, segmented and reconstructed three-dimensionally with the help of Dvideow program. Mathematical functions were applied in Matlab environment for obtaining the values of the amplitudes of movements. The results of the biomechanical analysis showed that the occlusal adjustment increases the range of mandibular movements in horses.

Dental and oral cavity alterations in Quarter Horses of Vaquejada: retrospective study of 416 cases (2012 2022)

“…The change in eating habits of performance horses due to the introduction of concentrates, restricted access to long fibers, and reduced chewing time facilitates the development of dental abnormalities ( Berbari Neto et al, 2013 ; Paiva Neto et al, 2018 ). Dental disease is the main oral disorder in horses and is of major importance in equine veterinary practice, with up to 10% of practice time involving dental-related work ( Dixon & Dacre, 2005 ).…”

Temporomandibular joint biomechanics and equine incisor occlusal plane maintenance

“…(2018);Domanska-Kruppa et al (2019) radiographically measured an OJ in 2% of 650 Warmblood foals ranging from 4 to 8 mm, but with the head fixed in a flexed position(Domanska-Kruppa et al, 2018;Domanska-Kruppa et al, 2019). Reporting an OJ prevalence of 51% in Quarter Horse foals in a head position comparable to Domanska-Kruppa et al(2018) andOmura et al (…”

“…In our theoretical calculations of any possible deviations of the incisor occlusal surface from a plane, the focus was on a reasonable estimation of movement parameters causing angular deviation. The literature on dynamic masticatory biomechanics in horses is scarce ( Huthmann et al, 2009 ; Neto et al, 2018 ). We therefore had to incorporate estimates of head dimensions through our own morphometric analyses on CT data sets and skull specimen.…”

Influence of oral health on the facial expressions and on the acupuncture examination in equines

“…The presence of ramp and/or hook may reduce or restrict the rostral movement of the mandible during chewing (Easley et al, 2011). This was demonstrated in practice by Paiva Neto et al (2018), studying the influence of occlusal adjustment by tooth wear in masticatory biomechanics of horses showed that the occlusal adjustment increases the range of mandibular movements in horses. It is noteworthy that the assessment of masticatory acuity was subjectively performed by the caretakers, which may have led to an erroneous assessment.…”

“…May ( 2008) stated that the TH-17 is normally reactive in animals with dental changes especially when these are associated with changes in the TMJ, which require chiropractic adjustments. These changes end up limiting the rostral movement during chewing (Easley et al, 2011;Paiva Neto et al, 2018) which predisposes to maladjustments in the TMJ area.…”