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Periapical curettage: an alternative surgical approach to infected mandibular cheek teeth in horses
James L Carmalt1, Spencer M Barber
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5B4. Carmalt_vet@hotmail.com
Objective:
To evaluate an alternative surgical method for treating periapical infection of the mandibular cheek teeth of horses.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Animals:
Eleven horses (3-13 years) with periapical mandibular tooth infection.
Methods:
Hospital records (1992-2002) of horses that had periapical curettage for the treatment of mandibular cheek tooth root infection were retrieved. Clinical signs, radiographic, and surgical reports were reviewed. Outcome was obtained by telephone questionnaire for 7 horses and by physical examination in 2.
Results:
Eleven horses (14 infected mandibular molariform teeth) had periapical curettage. Two horses were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up was 41 months; 2 horses had subsequent tooth repulsion, 7 (78%) horses healed completely although 2 horses still had some local mandibular swelling.
Conclusion:
Periapical curettage, which allows alveolar drainage, appears to be a viable treatment option for periapical infections of equine mandibular cheek teeth.
Clinical Relevance:
Periapical curettage can be performed simply, without expensive imaging or surgical equipment, and thus is useful for both referral and first opinion practice.
