Diagnostic of equine cheek tooth diseases with magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Equine cheek tooth diseases diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be detected and differentiated in a clinical study with 1 7 diseased horses. These changes were compared with the results which were found in 47 horses without any dental disease. In addition to MRI images, radiographs from all horses were available for evaluation. Normal findings and changes were described and assigned. Judgement of teeth and surrounding tissues was based on MRI images was very good. Although dental hard tooth substance and alveolar bone do not appear with a signal they could be judged with restriction. Changes of the teeth themselves and their surrounding areas like facial deformations caused by proliferation of the bone or soft tissue swelling with or without fistula formation, dental root granuloma, tooth fragmentation, changes of dental roots and/or periodontitis, supernumerous teeth, tooth germs, advanced or terminal healing after removal of teeth as well as the changes of the infraorbital canal had been described in physiological and pathological appearance. It is possible to judge the teeth even though there are restrictions in dental hard tooth substance differentiation in MRI. Further information about the pulps, the soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, the surrounding bones and dental germs are gained.