Oral disorders in Chilean rodeo horses submitted for dental evaluation between 2010 and 2013

Abstract

Dental disorders are common in horses, that is why the objective of this study is to determine the frequency of dental problems in Chilean Rodeo Horses and describe the most common dental treatments used in Chile. Oral examinations were performed on 456 Chilean horses and the disorders were observed as follows: Oral soft tissue problems such as lacerations and/or ulcers, were presented in 259 (56%) horses. Regarding to first premolar, it was present in 32% of the horses, all maxillary positioned. Canines were present in 245 (54%) and overlong tooth. Disorders founded in incisors showed supererupted (Tooth overlong) in 147 (32%); ventral curvature in 116 (25%), nevertheless 102 (22%) horses showed no abnormalities. About the diseases found in cheek teeth (premolars and molars), the more prevalent were enamel points in 426 (93%), rostral or caudal hooks in 354 (78%), and ramps in 231 (51%). Confidence intervals between all dental diseases found in the study showed no statistical significance when the horses were analysed by age or gender. When age groups were made, statistical significance appeared X² Pearson (p=0.01), were malocclusion type I was the most common in young, mature and geriatric horses. Other disorders such as problems at the time of eruption, development and periodontal disease were statiscally similar X² (p=0.07). In relation to treatments it is important to mention that 453 (99%) horses received odontoplasty and 147 (32%) first premolar extraction. This study shows that Chilean rodeo horses have dental disorders similar to other horse breeds, except by small increase in soft tissue damage and incisors problems.