Page 766 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Gastrointestinal system: 4.1 The upper gastrointestinal tr act 741

VetBooks.ir 4.39 4.40

Fig. 4.39 Food entrapped between the teeth on an Fig. 4.40 A valve diastema with occlusal contact, and
oral examination signals periodontal disease. packed food trapped at the gingival margin causing
inflammation (arrows).

4.41
contributing to diastema development, thereby
allowing normal mastication.
• Remove grossly loose teeth that have no
periodontal attachments and are functionally
redundant.

Treatment of widespread periodontitis associ-
ated with diastemata is variably successful but effec-
tive long-term management is usually possible. It is
achieved by focused lavage of the interdentium after
removal of gross food accumulation, and followed
by debridement of the periodontal pockets with
water, descaling or air abrasion devices (Fig. 4.42).
Widening of the diastema to enable food release
Fig. 4.41 Diastema and resulting gum recession follows and temporary stenting of the periodontal
with incisor periodontitis. pockets with acrylic materials has been reported to
assist with improvement in clinical signs (Figs. 4.43,
4.44). Treatment of alveolar periodontitis and gingi-
Management vitis can be augmented with antibiotics and the use
Successful treatment involves managing the condi- of antiseptic mouthwash solutions. If the diastema
tion. The aim of therapy is to: is due to a focal misalignment or maleruption, den-
tal removal is effective in relieving the cause of the
• Reduce periodontal food accumulation. diastema. In most cases, the removal of dental over-
• Treat alveolar periodontitis. growths (odontoplasty) to improve occlusion and
• Remove dental overgrowths and transverse ridges masticatory function, the feeding of reduced long-
that may be preventing normal mastication and fibre food, antibiotic therapy and widening of valve