Characterisation of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: A comparative study using microCT and radiography in age-matched controls.
Authors: Nugent Zoe, Jensen Anders, Owen Niamh, Peffers Andrew J, Moothanchery Mohesh, Peffers Mandy J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# EOTRH: Detailed structural characterisation refines our understanding of a significant geriatric dental disease Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) causes considerable welfare problems in older horses, yet the detailed pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood—a gap this 2025 comparative study addresses through advanced imaging of naturally affected animals alongside age-matched controls. Using microCT and radiography, Nugent and colleagues characterised the structural changes occurring in resorbing incisor teeth, documenting patterns of tissue loss and abnormal cementum deposition with previously unavailable precision and three-dimensional detail. This imaging approach enabled differentiation between the resorptive lesions themselves and compensatory or reactive changes, clarifying which tissues are primarily affected versus secondarily altered—critical information for understanding disease progression and identifying intervention points. For practitioners managing geriatric horses, these structural findings offer improved diagnostic clarity and may help predict which animals are at highest risk of severe complications such as prehension difficulties, halitosis and weight loss, ultimately informing earlier therapeutic decisions and pain management strategies. The characterisation work provides a foundation for future research into EOTRH's aetiology and potential preventative approaches in what remains one of equine dentistry's most challenging age-related conditions.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horses over 15 years old presenting with difficulty prehending food and bad breath should be evaluated for EOTRH as a potential cause of weight loss and reduced performance
- •Advanced imaging (microCT and radiography) can help differentiate EOTRH from other dental pathologies and assess disease severity for treatment planning
- •Early recognition of EOTRH is important as the condition is painful and progressive, requiring prompt veterinary intervention to manage clinical signs and maintain welfare
Key Findings
- •EOTRH is a painful disorder primarily affecting incisor teeth in horses over 15 years of age
- •The disease presents with clinical signs including prehension problems, halitosis, and weight loss in severe cases
- •EOTRH predominantly affects the reserve crown with characteristic loss of dental tissue and excessive cementum buildup
- •MicroCT and radiography imaging modalities were compared for diagnostic characterisation of EOTRH in age-matched controls