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Periapical curettage: an alternative surgical approach to infected mandibular cheek teeth in horses.

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.