Dimensions of Diastemata and Associated Periodontal Food Pockets in Donkey Cheek Teeth

Abstract

Equine cheek teeth (CT) diastemata often cause deep periodontal food pocketing and are therefore regarded as a painful dental disorder of equidae. However, there appears to be no information available on the size or shape of these diastemata. This post mortem study examined 16 donkey skulls (mean age = 32-years) containing 45 CT diastemata to define the anatomical shape and dimensions of these diastemata, and of the associated periodontal food pockets that occur with this disorder. Diastemata were found to more commonly involve mandibular (56.0 %) compared with maxillary CT (44.0 %), and 71.0 % of these diastemata had adjacent intercurrent dental disorders that may have predisposed donkeys to the diastemata. The median widths of all diastemata were 2.0-mm at the occlusal surface and 3.1-mm at the gingival margin, with no differences in widths between the lateral or medial aspects of diastemata. Diastemata were defined as open (60.0 %) or valve (40.0 %) based on their gross appearance. This classification was confirmed to be accurate by measurements that showed valve diastemata to have an occlusal to gingival width ratio of 0.4, in contrast to open diastemata where this ratio was 1.07. Food was impacted in 89.0 % of diastemata, but all diastemata had adjacent periodontal disease. Periodontal food pocketing was present adjacent to 76.0 % of diastemata, more commonly on the lateral aspect (73.0 % prevalence; mean pocket depth = 4.1-mm) than the medial aspect (47.0 % prevalence; mean pocket depth = 2.4-mm). The depth of periodontal pockets of diastemata was not associated with the height of the erupted crowns of adjacent CT.

A clinical survey on the prevalence and types of cheek teeth disorders present in 400 Zamorano‐Leonés and 400 Mirandês donkeys (Equus asinus)

“…CT diastemata with food entrapment and associated periodontal disease is considered a very painful disorder that can be difficult to clinically diagnose (du Toit and others 2009a). This study found that diastemata occurred most frequently in the mandibular CT rows, with the prevalence and numbers of diastemata/affected donkeys increasing with age, as previously reported in horses and donkeys (Dixon and others 2008, du Toit and others 2008b, 2009b, Walker and others 2012).…”

Oral health in South East Queensland Koalas: Prevalence of periodontal disease and other pathologies

“…In donkeys 89% of all diastema in one study were associated with periodontal disease (gingivitis and deep pocketing) (du Toit et al, 2009a). (du Toit et al, 2009a). In this study, 69% of all sites based on the research in Chapter 6 had periodontal disease.…”

“…A reduction in the crown with age then widens the gap, allowing more vegetation to collect until the 'open' type of diastemata appears. In donkeys 89% of all diastema in one study were associated with periodontal disease (gingivitis and deep pocketing) (du Toit et al, 2009a). (du Toit et al, 2009a).…”

“…In animals, additional factors that can contribute in the disease progression have been identified (Aitchison and Spence, 1984, Cheo et al, 1948, Dixon, 2002. In herbivores the grazing on tough fibrous plant material can result in material becoming compacted between the teeth creating diastemata (du Toit et al, 2009a). The molariform teeth are usually more susceptible to vegetation compaction and periodontal disease (Samuel andWoodall, 1988, du Toit et al, 2009c).…”

Is your practice diagnosing cheek teeth diastemata?

“…In contrast, open diastemata are relatively similar in width at the occlusal surface and gingival margin and allow feed to freely ingress and egress the space (Du Toit et al . ).…”