Gross, computed tomographic and histological findings in mandibular cheek teeth extracted from horses with clinical signs of pulpitis due to apical infection.
Authors: Casey M B, Pearson G R, Perkins J D, Tremaine W H
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Apical Infection and Pulpitis in Equine Cheek Teeth Whilst coronal fractures and periodontal disease are well-recognised causes of pulpitis in horses, a significant proportion of cases arise from apical infection without these obvious clinical triggers—yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain poorly characterised. Casey and colleagues used computed tomography alongside gross dissection and histological examination of extracted mandibular cheek teeth from affected horses to establish correlations between imaging findings, macroscopic pathology, and microscopic tissue changes. The research revealed how apical infections progress through dental tissues, providing the first direct comparison between what CT imaging shows, what clinicians observe during extraction, and what histological analysis confirms at cellular level. Understanding these layered pathological changes matters considerably for practitioners: improved recognition of apical infection patterns on CT may enable earlier intervention before secondary complications develop, whilst knowledge of the progression pathway helps distinguish this condition from other causes of intraoral swelling or quidding. This work strengthens the case for CT as a diagnostic tool in equine dentistry, particularly when clinical signs suggest pulpitis but conventional examination findings are ambiguous.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Apical infections causing pulpitis in horses may not present with obvious coronal fractures or gum disease, requiring CT imaging for diagnosis
- •Understanding the comparative pathological findings across gross, radiographic and microscopic examination improves diagnostic accuracy for equine dental pulpitis
- •Clinicians should consider apical infection as a differential diagnosis in horses with signs of pulpitis even when periodontal disease or crown fractures are absent
Key Findings
- •Most prevalent equine dental pulpitis due to apical infection occurs without coronal fractures or periodontal disease
- •Gross, CT and histopathological findings in equine dental pulpitis were compared for the first time
- •Study characterizes pathological changes in mandibular cheek teeth extracted from horses with clinical pulpitis signs