An anatomical study to evaluate the risk of pulpar exposure during mechanical widening of equine cheek teeth diastemata and 'bit seating'.

Authors: Bettiol N, Dixon P M

Journal: Equine veterinary journal

DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00138.x PubMed: 21592210Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Pulpar Risk During Equine Cheek Tooth Widening Diastemata between equine cheek teeth remain a challenging clinical problem, with mechanical widening procedures offering a potential solution, yet the anatomical safety margins during such interventions—particularly the proximity of pulp tissue to interproximal surfaces—have never been systematically evaluated. Bettiol and Dixon used detailed anatomical dissection and measurement of equine cheek teeth to map the spatial relationships between individual pulp horns and the tooth surfaces that clinicians contact during widening procedures and the controversial 'bit seating' technique applied to maxillary first molars (Triadan 06s). Their findings revealed critical proximity between pulp horns and the interproximal surfaces, with significant variation between teeth and between individual animals, demonstrating that conventional widening and bit seating procedures carry a genuine risk of pulpar exposure if performed without precise anatomical awareness. These results have important implications for practitioners undertaking or advising on mechanical diastema management: understanding individual tooth anatomy through imaging before intervention is essential, technique refinement is necessary to maintain safe margins, and the unproven 'bit seating' procedure warrants particular caution given the pulp exposure risk. This anatomical foundation should inform both the development of safer instrumentation protocols and realistic client communication regarding the inherent risks of these commonly attempted procedures.

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Practical Takeaways

•Understand the anatomical location of pulp horns before performing diastema widening procedures to avoid iatrogenic pulp exposure
•Exercise caution with the 'bit seating' procedure on Triadan 06 teeth until further clinical evidence supports its use
•Use this anatomical reference to guide safe instrument placement during mechanical diastema treatment

Key Findings

•Study provides anatomical mapping of pulp spatial relationships to interproximal surfaces of equine cheek teeth
•Identifies risks of pulp horn exposure during mechanical widening of diastemata
•Evaluates safety profile of 'bit seating' procedure on Triadan 06 teeth

Conditions Studied

cheek teeth diastematapulpar exposure riskbit seating procedure

Related References

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

Walker H, Chinn E, Holmes S, Barwise-Munro L, Robertson V, Mould R, Bradley S, Shaw D J, Dixon P M(2012)The Veterinary record

Treatment of equine cheek teeth by mechanical widening of diastemata in 60 horses (2000-2006).

Dixon P M, Barakzai S, Collins N, Yates J(2008)Equine veterinary journal

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Liuti Tiziana, Daniel Carola R, Dixon Padraic Martin, Reardon Richard J M(2021)Frontiers in veterinary science

A long-term study on the clinical effects of mechanical widening of cheek teeth diastemata for treatment of periodontitis in 202 horses (2008-2011).

Dixon P M, Ceen S, Barnett T, O'Leary J M, Parkin T D, Barakzai S(2014)Equine veterinary journal

A review of equine dental disorders.

Dixon P M, Dacre I(2005)Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)