Extraction of fractured cheek teeth under oral endoscopic guidance in standing horses.
Authors: Ramzan Peter H L, Dallas Robert S, Palmer Lorraine
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Extraction of Fractured Cheek Teeth Under Oral Endoscopic Guidance in Standing Horses Fractured cheek teeth represent a significant clinical challenge in equine dentistry, and standing extraction offers considerable advantages over general anaesthesia in terms of recovery time and cost. Ramzan and colleagues reviewed 30 standing horses (median age 11.5 years) that underwent oral extraction of 31 fractured cheek teeth using endoscopic guidance between 2007 and 2010, documenting fracture patterns and extraction success rates. The cohort presented predominantly with midline sagittal fractures of maxillary teeth (42%), followed by buccal or palatal fractures (32%), whilst the technique achieved successful extraction in 27 of 31 teeth (87%), with notably higher success rates in older horses (median 12 years versus 7 years in the failure group). Endoscopic visualisation improved instrument placement and visibility during the extraction procedure, enabling practitioners to confirm complete tooth removal and identify fragments that might otherwise be missed. For practitioners managing horses with fractured cheek teeth, this technique offers a reliable standing alternative to traditional extraction methods, particularly in older animals where better bone quality may facilitate removal, though the 13% failure rate suggests patient selection and fracture anatomy remain important considerations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Oral endoscopy is a reliable aid for standing extraction of fractured cheek teeth, with 87% success rate avoiding general anesthesia
- •Expect higher success rates in older horses; younger horses with cheek tooth fractures may require alternative treatment approaches or general anesthesia
- •Most fractured cheek teeth present as midline sagittal fractures in the maxilla, which can be reliably visualized and removed with endoscopic guidance
Key Findings
- •Endoscopic-guided extraction was successful in 27 of 31 fractured cheek teeth (87% success rate)
- •Midline sagittal fractures of maxillary teeth were most common (42% of cases)
- •Younger horses (median 7 years) had significantly lower surgical success rates than older horses (median 11.5 years, P=0.0135)