Page 779 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

754 CHAPTER 4

VetBooks.ir 4.69 4.70

Fig. 4.69 Resorption of the reserve crown Fig. 4.70 EOTRH is diagnosed radiographically
subgingivally followed by reactive hypercementosis using intraoral projections.
are features of EOTRH.

4.71 Differential diagnosis
Periodontitis.

Management
Removal of the affected tooth is the only effective
treatment and complete exodontia of all incisors has
resulted in clinical remission in some cases (Fig. 4.71).

DISEASE OF CANINE TEETH

The canine teeth, which have no role in prehension
and mastication of food, are found predominantly
in male horses. They are less commonly involved in
dental disease than masticatory teeth. Canines can be
fractured after bit contact or iatrogenically. This can
lead to pulp exposure, subsequent necrosis and possi-
Fig. 4.71 A mucoperiosteal flap is created to expose ble abscessation. Some fractures are clinically obscure
the reserve crown of incisors prior to their extraction.
while others can be extremely painful. All fractured
canines require careful appraisal. Historically, rasp-
Clinical signs and diagnosis ing of the canines was considered to be a valid and
Presenting signs are of oral pain, gingivitis and useful procedure in the absence of any supporting
hypersalivation. Digital loosening of the teeth is clinical data. More recently careful examination has
palpable and usually elicits pain. Diagnosis is based revealed that iatrogenic canine pulp exposure can
on clinical signs and radiography. Typical radiologi- ensue from inappropriate treatments. Lateral oblique
cal changes include: hypercementosis subgingivally; radiographs will reveal changes to the endodontium
lytic demineralisation of the reserve crowns; and and periodontium of the long curved caudal roots of
apical lysis of enamel and dentine (Fig. 4.70). these teeth in the incisive bone.