Observations of the cheek tooth occlusal angle in the horse

The angle of occlusion was evaluated in 230 mandibular cheek teeth from 21 horses. There was no significant relationship between horse condition (sedated, anesthetized, dead) and measurement of mean cheek tooth occlusal angle. Cheek tooth occlusal angle was not significantly affected by the position of the tooth in the mandibular arcade or tooth age. The measurement of individual mandibular cheek tooth occlusal angles was predictive for occlusal angle of the entire mouth. Multiple variations of the incisor separation angle technique were predictive of cheek tooth molar occlusal angle for the measured arcade and the entire mouth but was significantly different contralaterally, suggesting that the single tooth method may be preferred. However, despite the limitations of the relatively simple incisor separation angle technique, it may provide the equine veterinary dentist a rapid method of assessing cheek tooth occlusal angle to ensure proper dental floating methods and outcomes.