A Computed Tomographic and Pathological Study of Equine Cheek Teeth Infundibulae Extracted From Asymptomatic Horses. Part 2: MicroCT, Gross, and Histological Findings.
Authors: Horbal Apryle, Smith Sionagh, Dixon Padraic M
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Infundibular caries remains a significant clinical challenge in equine dentistry, yet the underlying pathological mechanisms driving disease progression remain poorly characterised. Using extracted maxillary cheek teeth from abattoir specimens, Horbal and colleagues employed microCT imaging alongside gross and histological examination to map the structural abnormalities present in infundibulae with varying degrees of carious involvement. Of 15 infundibulae examined, 14 exhibited subocclusal cemental defects despite only 8 showing occlusal-surface caries; histologically, these hypoplastic areas contained characteristically wide central channels with multiple cylindrical side-branches creating a complex network extending toward the periphery, and carious lesions demonstrated disrupted cemental architecture with degraded debris packed within the vascular channels. The findings suggest that cemental hypoplasia—particularly affecting the central linear and apical regions—creates anatomically permissive pathways for food impaction and bacterial colonisation when normal occlusal wear exposes these defects. This work underscores the importance of early identification and management of subocclusal cemental disease through careful probing and imaging, as the progression from asymptomatic hypoplasia to symptomatic caries may be inevitable once the occlusal surface is breached, highlighting potential value in preventative strategies targeting at-risk teeth before clinical signs develop.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Subclinical cemental defects in cheek tooth infundibulae are extremely common in asymptomatic horses; progressive wear will eventually expose these defects and lead to food impaction and caries
- •Understanding the histological architecture of hypoplastic cementum helps explain why certain teeth develop infundibular disease and informs preventive strategies around dental maintenance
- •MicroCT imaging with Hounsfield unit measurement can help identify cemental defects and predict which teeth are at risk for developing clinical infundibular pathology
Key Findings
- •15 of 16 infundibulae examined had subocclusal cemental hypoplasia or caries, with only 1 infundibulum completely unaffected
- •Histologically, hypoplastic cemental areas contain irregularly-shaped wide central channels with multiple large cylindrical side-branches extending peripherally
- •Carious subocclusal areas have disrupted cemental architecture and contain degraded food and cemental debris within central vascular channels
- •Apical cemental hypoplasia was identified in some infundibulae with cement-free areas containing only collagen-like material fragments