Dental benign cementomas in three horses

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Oral Neoplasia
• Equine Dentistry

Background:

• Cementoma is an exceptionally rare odontogenic neoplasm originating from mesenchymal cells.
• Odontogenic tumors in horses are infrequently documented, necessitating detailed case studies.

Observation:

• Three horses exhibited multiple, extensive bony enlargements in both upper and lower jaws, encroaching into the oral cavity.
• Radiographic analysis revealed well-defined, radiopaque masses encircling tooth roots, causing malocclusion and pain.

Findings:

• Gross examination identified hard, grayish-white masses surrounding incisor and premolar roots.
• Histopathological analysis confirmed excessive deposition of cementum-like tissue with cementoblast-like cells and minimal atypia.
• Absence of mitotic figures was noted, indicating a low proliferative potential.

Implications:

• The equine cementoma shares histological similarities with cementomas in other species.
• Hypercementosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis due to the high degree of cementum differentiation observed.
• This study contributes to understanding rare oral neoplasms in horses, aiding in diagnosis and management.