Prevalence and some clinical characteristics of equine cheek teeth diastemata in 471 horses examined in a UK first‐opinion equine practice (2008 to 2009)

Abstract

Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are now recognised as a clinically significant equine disorder, but their prevalence in the general equine population is unknown. There is also limited information on the signalment of affected horses; the more commonly affected Triadan sites; and the shape and clinical characteristics of CT diastemata. During the 12-month study period (2008 to 2009), standardised records were obtained during routine dental examinations performed by five veterinarians in a first-opinion equine practice. Cheek teeth diastemata were identified in 49.9 per cent of all horses (n=471) of mean age 11 years (range one to 30 years), with 83.5 per cent of all diastemata affecting mandibular CT and 16.5 per cent affecting maxillary CT. The mean number of diastemata per case was 1.7 (range one to 20) and the mandibular 07 to 08 position was most commonly affected. Valve diastemata were more common (72.1 per cent prevalence) than open diastemata (27.9 per cent). Food trapping was present in 91.4 per cent of diastemata, with gingivitis and periodontal pockets adjacent to 34.2 per cent and 43.7 per cent, respectively. Halitosis was present in 45.5 per cent of affected horses. There was an age-related increase in both the prevalence of diastemata, and in the numbers of diastemata per affected horse, and horses over 15 years old had a significantly increased proportion of open diastemata.

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

“…These cases appear similar to the cases described by Collins and Dixon (2005) as developmental diastemata formation, due to an inadequate eruption of the caudally angulated rostral cheek tooth (06) and rostrally angulated caudal CT (10s and 11s) or due to dental buds developing too far apart. The increased prevalence of diastemata in older donkeys is probably due to senile diastemata (Walker and others 2012). Most (42.5 per cent; 330/777) individual diastemata were not associated with intercurrent CT disorders, similar to the findings (48.3 per cent) in an equine study by Collins and Dixon (2005).…”

Prevalence of oro‐dental pathology in a working horse population in Egypt and its relation to equine health

“…Most published equine dental studies have been conducted on clinical cases in hospital settings [10][11][12] or using cadaver material [13][14][15][16], and these have furthered our understanding of the pathophysiology of various dental disorders. Field surveys have a key role in determining the prevalence of oro-dental disorders and providing evidence that will assist veterinary surgeons' and owners' understanding of the impact that dental disease has on equine health and welfare.…”

Influence of dental materials on cells of the equine periodontium

“…The reported prevalence of equine periodontal diseases ranges between 22.3 and 60% [1][2][3], with highest prevalence documented in horses older than 14 years [2]. The periodontium consists of the gingiva, cementum, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament.…”

“…The periodontium consists of the gingiva, cementum, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. In horses, periodontal disease commonly starts with widened interdental spaces or diastemata [1,6,7], which are frequently very narrow at the occlusal edge, becoming wider in the apical direction and referred to as "valve diastemata" [8]. In horses, periodontal disease commonly starts with widened interdental spaces or diastemata [1,6,7], which are frequently very narrow at the occlusal edge, becoming wider in the apical direction and referred to as "valve diastemata" [8].…”