Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses

Age-related dental changes are major contributors to dental disorders in older horses, and cheek tooth extractions are often required to maintain masticatory function and oral comfort. However, limited information is available on clinical and treatment characteristics in this older patient population.

To describe clinical features, treatments, complication rates and short-term outcomes of horses undergoing oral cheek tooth extraction and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, and to compare findings between geriatric and non-geriatric horses.

Retrospective analysis of clinical records.

Data of horses undergoing cheek tooth extractions (2018-2022) were collected and analysed. Clinical features, treatments and outcomes were recorded and analysed by age (per year) as well as by comparisons between non-geriatric (<20 years) and geriatric (≥20 years) horses.

In total, 442 horses undergoing 710 dental extractions were included: 154 (34.8%) were geriatric and 288 (65.2%) non-geriatric. Geriatric age was significantly associated with the reason for extraction, with periodontal disease being the most frequent reason (53.3% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.001). Geriatric horses more often required extraction of multiple teeth (53.8% vs. 28.5%; p < 0.001) and extraction of mandibular cheek teeth (42.9% vs. 25.7%; p < 0.001). They were also more likely to have concurrent diseases (29.2% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001) and to receive long-term medication (14.9% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001). On the other hand, increasing age was significantly associated with lower odds of receiving antibiotics (OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.92-0.98] p < 0.001) and requiring invasive extraction technique (OR 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.99] p = 0.011). Complication rates did not differ (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.98-1.01] p = 0.201).

Retrospective single-centre design.

Geriatric horses more frequently required extraction of multiple teeth, primarily for periodontal disease, whereas non-geriatric horses more often required invasive extraction techniques while complication rates did not differ between age groups and the short-term outcome was favourable in geriatric horses.