Influence of dental materials on cells of the equine periodontium.
Authors: Ringeisen H, Pöschke A, Krähling B, Schröck C, Stoll M, Vogelsberg J, Failing K, Staszyk C
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Dental Materials and Equine Periodontal Biocompatibility When treating equine periodontal disease, clinicians frequently fill pockets and widened interproximal spaces with materials borrowed from human dental practice, yet their safety in the equine environment remains largely unvalidated. Ringeisen and colleagues conducted an in vitro study exposing equine periodontal fibroblasts to four commonly recommended materials—PeriCare®, Provicol®, Calxyl® and Honigum—before assessing cytotoxicity through microscopy and MTT assays alongside inflammatory gene expression via qRT-PCR. PeriCare® and Provicol® demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with no detectable cellular effects, whilst Honigum and Calxyl® induced severe cytotoxic damage to the fibroblasts. These findings underscore a critical principle for equine practitioners: materials validated for human dentistry cannot be assumed safe for equine tissues without species-specific testing, and the choice of periodontal filling material warrants careful consideration based on biocompatibility evidence rather than convention. Though these results require clinical confirmation before altering treatment protocols, they provide essential preliminary evidence to guide material selection and support the case for developing an equine-specific evidence base for periodontal therapeutics.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •When selecting materials for equine periodontal pocket filling, PeriCare® and Provicol® appear safer choices based on in vitro biocompatibility data, while Honigum and Calxyl® should be avoided until clinical validation is complete
- •Do not assume human dental materials are safe for equine periodontal therapy without species-specific testing—equine fibroblasts respond differently than human cells
- •Request clinical confirmation before widely adopting any dental filling material for equine periodontal disease, as in vitro results need practical validation in live horses
Key Findings
- •PeriCare® and Provicol® demonstrated no cytotoxic effects on equine periodontal fibroblasts
- •Honigum and Calxyl® were associated with severe cytotoxic effects on equine periodontal fibroblasts
- •Dental materials commonly used in human dentistry may not be biocompatible for equine periodontal applications