Long-Term Follow-Up of Restorations of Equine Cheek Teeth Infundibula (2006-2017).

Authors: Pearce Christopher J, Brooks Nicky

Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.793631 PubMed: 35127882Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Long-Term Follow-Up of Restorations of Equine Cheek Teeth Infundibula Infundibular caries in equine cheek teeth can cascade into serious complications including secondary wear patterns, pulp involvement, apical pathology, sinusitis, and fracture, yet until recently there was no evidence base for the restorative techniques clinicians have employed since the 19th century. Pearce and Brooks conducted a longitudinal analysis (2006–2017) examining the clinical outcomes of infundibular restorations performed by equine veterinary practitioners, leveraging improved materials and instrumentation now available to the profession. The study represents the first rigorous assessment of restoration safety and efficacy in this context, providing practitioners with evidence to inform treatment decision-making for a condition that, left untreated, frequently results in tooth loss. Understanding restoration longevity and failure modes has direct implications for case selection, client counselling, and prognosis in equine dental practice.

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Practical Takeaways

•Infundibular caries should be identified and treated early to prevent serious secondary complications affecting the tooth and surrounding structures
•Restoration of infundibular cavities is now a viable clinical option with established safety and efficacy data from long-term follow-up
•Equine veterinarians should consider adding restorative dental techniques to their toolkit for managing cheek teeth infundibular disease

Key Findings

•Long-term follow-up study (2006-2017) evaluated safety and efficacy of equine cheek teeth infundibular restorations for the first time
•Infundibular caries can progress to severe complications including pulpar disease, apical pathology, sinusitis, and tooth fracture if untreated
•Modern dental materials and techniques have made restoration of cheek teeth infundibular cavities feasible for equine practitioners

Conditions Studied

infundibular cariescheek teeth diseasepulpar diseaseapical diseasesecondary sinusitisdental fracture

Related References

Critical evaluation of ex vivo restoration of carious equine maxillary cheek teeth infundibulae following high-pressure gas and micro-particle abrasion.

Dixon P M, Savill D, Horbyl A, Reardon R J M, Liuti T(2014)Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)

Anatomical studies of maxillary cheek teeth infundibula in clinically normal horses.

Fitzgibbon C M, Du Toit N, Dixon P M(2010)Equine veterinary journal

Evaluation of ex vivo restoration of carious equine maxillary cheek teeth infundibulae following debridement with dental drills and Hedstrom files.

Horbal A, Reardon R J M, Liuti T, Dixon P M(2017)Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)

Infundibula of equine maxillary cheek teeth: Part 2: Morphological variations and pathological changes.

Suske A, Pöschke A, Müller P, Wöber S, Staszyk C(2016)Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)

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Windley Z, Weller R, Tremaine W H, Perkins J D(2009)Equine veterinary journal