Repulsion of maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth in standing horses

To report the technique and results of cheek teeth repulsion in standing, sedated horses.

Case series.

Horses (n = 12), ponies (6).

Medical records (2006-2009) of horses that had cheek tooth repulsion while standing were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: maxillary or mandibular cheek tooth disease diagnosed by clinical and radiographic examination where attempted oral extraction failed necessitating repulsion. Horses were sedated and a local nerve block performed. Intraoperative radiographs facilitated instrument positioning and ensured repulsion of all dental remnants. Alveolar cavities were packed postoperatively and secondary dental sinusitis treated with lavage.

Median horse age was 7 years (range, 1-30 years). Maxillary (n = 15) and mandibular (5) cheek teeth were removed successfully. One horse was euthanatized 1 week after tooth removal because of concurrent liver disease and 10 horses (59%) had resolution of discharge after the 1st treatment; 41% of extractions required follow-up medical or surgical treatment to resolve signs [6/12 maxillary sinusitis and 1/5 persistent mandibular drainage].

Standing repulsion of diseased and fractured cheek teeth is an effective means of resolving clinical signs of dental disease when oral extraction fails. Chronic sinus involvement increased the risk of postextraction surgical treatment for sinusitis.