Studies on Age-Related Changes in Equine Cheek Teeth Angulation and Dental Drift.

Authors: Liuti Tiziana, Daniel Carola R, Dixon Padraic Martin, Reardon Richard J M

Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.804061 PubMed: 35242831Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Age-Related Changes in Equine Cheek Teeth Angulation and Dental Drift Diastema between cheek teeth represents a significant welfare issue in equine dentistry, yet the normal anatomical mechanisms preventing this condition remain poorly characterised. Liuti and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional analysis of cheek tooth angulation and mesio-distal drift patterns across different age groups, establishing objective baseline data on how tooth positioning changes throughout the horse's lifespan. Their findings demonstrated that cheek teeth naturally drift mesially (forward) with age and that the angulation of these teeth varies systematically, with younger horses displaying steeper tooth angles that gradually flatten—alterations that fundamentally influence interdental contact dynamics and load distribution. Understanding these age-related changes provides farriers, veterinarians and equine healthcare professionals with critical context for interpreting radiographic findings and recognising when pathological diastema develops versus normal physiological drift. This research underpins more targeted preventative strategies and helps clinicians distinguish between functional dentition and early-stage disease requiring intervention.

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Practical Takeaways

•Understanding normal age-related dental changes helps identify when horses are at risk for developing painful diastema and may warrant preventive dental management
•Monitoring cheek tooth angulation and drift patterns during routine dental exams can guide targeted interventions to maintain effective interdental contact
•Early recognition of abnormal tooth angulation allows farriers and veterinarians to work together on corrective strategies before clinical diastema pain develops

Key Findings

•Age-related changes in cheek tooth angulation occur in equine dentition and influence dental drift patterns
•Mesial and distal dental drift mechanisms help prevent diastema formation in healthy horses
•Objective measurements of cheek tooth angulation can identify predisposing factors to diastema development

Conditions Studied

cheek teeth diastemadental driftinterdental contact loss

Related References

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Bettiol N, Dixon P M(2011)Equine veterinary journal

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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

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

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Dixon P M, Tremaine W H, Pickles K, Kuhns L, Hawe C, McCann J, McGorum B C, Railton D I, Brammer S(2000)Equine veterinary journal

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Pearce Christopher J, Brooks Nicky(2021)Frontiers in veterinary science