JVD 2019 #3 A Study on the Potential Role of Occlusal Fissure Fractures in the Etiopathogenesis of Equine Cheek Teeth Apical Infections; Wellman

Question 1

Sequelae of cheek teeth bacterial apical infections (esp in younger horses)?

Answer 1

Often infect adjacent alveolar bone and supporting bones, causing osteomyelitis or paranasal sinusitis

Question 2

Different routes of infection of dental pulp/apical periodontal tissues=

Answer 2

• anachoresis
• dental fractures, including caries-related midline sagittal
• other idiopathic or traumatic fractures
• infundibular caries
• deep periodontal disease
• dental dysplasia

Question 3

Anachoresis

Answer 3

• essentially a default diagnosis made when no identifiable physical route of bacterial invasion from the oral cavity to the pulps or apex of an infected tooth is found and these infections are believed to be caused by blood- or lymphatic-borne infections

•Anachoresis prevalence in equine cheek teeth apical infection causing 51% to 68% of infections, much higher than humans/small animals

Question 4

Prevalence of fissure fractures in apically infected cheek teeth diagnosed with anachoresis in the study?

Answer 4

66.6%

Similar to general equine pop 54-72%

Question 5

Are fissure fractures likely to cause dental apical infection?

What do they predispose teeth to?

Answer 5

No, fissure fractures are unlikely to cause apical infection

They do predispose maxillary teeth to “slab fractures” through the 1st and 2nd pulp horns