Three-Dimensional Segmentation Assisted with Clustering Analysis for Surface and Volume Measurements of Equine Incisor in Multidetector Computed Tomography Data Sets.

Dental diagnostic imaging has progressed towards the use of advanced technologies such as 3D image processing. Since multidetector computed tomography (CT) is widely available in equine clinics, CT-based anatomical 3D models, segmentations, and measurements have become clinically applicable. This study aimed to use a 3D segmentation of CT images and volumetric measurements to investigate differences in the surface area and volume of equine incisors. The 3D Slicer was used to segment single incisors of 50 horses' heads and to extract volumetric features. Axial vertical symmetry, but not horizontal, of the incisors was evidenced. The surface area and volume differed significantly between temporary and permanent incisors, allowing for easy eruption-related clustering of the CT-based 3D images with an accuracy of >0.75. The volumetric features differed partially between center, intermediate, and corner incisors, allowing for moderate location-related clustering with an accuracy of >0.69. The volumetric features of mandibular incisors' equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) degrees were more than those for maxillary incisors; thus, the accuracy of EOTRH degree-related clustering was >0.72 for the mandibula and >0.33 for the maxilla. The CT-based 3D images of equine incisors can be successfully segmented using the routinely achieved multidetector CT data sets and the proposed data-processing approaches.

Dental health in Roman dogs: A pilot study using standardized examination methods.

OBJECTIVE: To utilize standardized clinical veterinary methods to analyze dental health in a series of Roman dog maxillae and mandibles and to compare results to modern clinical data. MATERIALS: 28 skulls of juvenile and adult dogs from three archaeological sites in Switzerland and Germany dating to the Roman period. METHODS: Standardized examination was carried out, which included metric radiographic assessment to diagnose oral pathology and estimate age at death. In one case, CT analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: The estimated average age at death was between three and four years old. Tooth fracture, periodontal disease, the presence of non-vital teeth, and brachycephalic skull form were found in the sample. Tooth resorption was unexpectedly noted. CONCLUSION: The study provides valuable insights into the dental health of dogs in the Roman era. Compared to modern dogs, Roman dogs examined in this study appear to have a shorter lifespan but display a high rate of pathological dental disease, while disease patterns were very similar to those of modern dogs. Dogs with pronounced brachycephalic features were found. SIGNIFICANCE: This pilot study is the first to use standardized clinical examination and recording techniques to assess dental health in dogs from archaeological contexts. It provides insight into the dental health of Roman era dogs and offers data upon which cross-populational studies can be initiated. LIMITATIONS: The sample size and geographic location of the archaeological sites were limited. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Subsequent standardized studies, preferably in as many different Roman Empire regions as possible, are recommended.

Widespread prevalence of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis detected in German Icelandic horse population: impact of anamnestic factors on etiology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare anamnestic factors in Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) in affected and nonaffected horses to detect risk factors for horses developing EOTRH. ANIMALS: A total of 154 Icelandic horses, aged 15 years and older, examined at 22 locations in Lower Saxony, Germany. The investigations took place from October 2020 to December 2021. METHODS: Anamnestic data were collected using an owner-completed questionnaire. Horses underwent a thorough physical examination and CBC. The rostral oral cavity was clinically examined, and intraoral radiographs of the incisors were taken. Clinical and radiographic findings were scored. Based on the results, the study population was separated into "EOTRH-affected" and "EOTRH-healthy" horses. Both groups were compared to identify differences within the anamnestic factors. In case of inconclusive findings, some horses were classified as "suspicious". RESULTS: The diagnosis of EOTRH was made in 72.2% (109/151) of horses. The risk of contracting the disease increased with the age of the horse (P = .004). In addition, there was a predisposition for male animals (P = .032). Feeding, keeping, and dental treatments showed no significant influence, while place of birth seemed to influence horses developing EOTRH (P = .017). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results highlight how widespread EOTRH is among the German Icelandic horse population and the need for raising awareness of EOTRH, as many horses were not suspected of having EOTRH beforehand. Moreover, numerous etiological propositions exist, but, to date, no studies have investigated their relevance.

The prevalence of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis and the role of interincisal angulation in disease severity in a representative cohort of horses in Switzerland.

INTRODUCTION: Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is an increasingly diagnosed degenerative dental disease in aged horses. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of EOTRH in horses admitted to the Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, for dental procedures from 2004 to 2017. A secondary goal was to measure and compare interincisal angles on two-dimensional radiographs of horses with EOTRH to determine whether the interincisal angle is associated with age and severity of the disease. Radiographs were assessed for the presence of lysis and/or hypercementosis, and the number and position of the teeth affected were determined. Each tooth was also evaluated using the modified classification system introduced by Rehrl et al. (2018), in which stage 0 indicates no radiographic abnormalities and stage 3 denotes severe abnormalities. The overall stage was defined by the tooth with the most severe lesions. The interincisal angle was determined in horses that had suitable radiographs. The medical records of 838 horses admitted for dental procedures were evaluated, and 85 (10,1 %) had clinical evidence of EOTRH. The mean interincisal angle was 136,06 ° in horses with mild to moderate EOTRH and 135,10 ° (SD = 11,90 °) in severely affected patients. In conclusion, the angle measurements on lateral radiographs were highly reproducible. However, the interincisal angle was not associated with age or the severity of EOTRH. The interincisal angle and the disease pattern were not correlated.

INTRODUCTION: La résorption et l'hypercémentose odontoclastique des dents chez le cheval (EOTRH) est une maladie dentaire dégénérative de plus en plus diagnostiquée chez les animaux âgés. L'objectif principal de cette étude rétrospective était de déterminer la prévalence de l'EOTRH chez les chevaux admis à l'Hôpital équin de l'Université de Zurich pour des interventions dentaires entre 2014 et 2017. Un objectif secondaire était de mesurer et de comparer les angles inter-incisifs sur des radiographies bidimensionnelles de chevaux atteints d'EOTRH afin de déterminer si cet angle est associé à l'âge et à la gravité de la maladie. Les radiographies ont été évaluées pour la présence de lyse et/ou d'hypercémentose, et le nombre et la position des dents affectées ont été déterminés. Chaque dent a également été évaluée à l'aide du système de classification modifié introduit par Rehrl et al. (2018), dans lequel le stade 0 indique l'absence d'anomalies radiographiques et le stade 3 indique des anomalies graves. Le stade global a été défini par la dent présentant les lésions les plus sévères. L'angle inter-incisif a été déterminé chez les chevaux qui avaient des radiographies appropriées. Les dossiers médicaux de 838 chevaux admis pour des interventions dentaires ont été évalués et 85 (10,1 %) présentaient des signes cliniques d'EOTRH. L'angle inter-incisif moyen était de 136,06° chez les chevaux présentant une EOTRH légère à modérée et de 135,10° (écart-type = 11,90°) chez les patients gravement atteints. En conclusion, les mesures d'angle sur les radiographies latérales étaient très reproductibles. Cependant, l'angle inter-incisif n'était pas associé à l'âge ou à la sévérité de l'EOTRH. L'angle inter-incisif et le profil de la maladie n'étaient pas corrélés.

An application of the density standard and scaled-pixel-counting protocol to assess the radiodensity of equine incisor teeth affected by resorption and hypercementosis: preliminary advancement in dental radiography.

BACKGROUND: Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) syndrome is a dental disease where the radiographic signs may be quantified using radiographic texture features. This study aimed to implement the scaled-pixel-counting protocol to quantify and compare the image structure of teeth and the density standard in order to improve the identification of the radiographic signs of tooth resorption and hypercementosis using the EOTRH syndrome model. METHODS AND RESULTS: A detailed examination of the oral cavity was performed in 80 horses and maxillary incisor teeth were evaluated radiographically, including an assessment of the density standard. On each of the radiographs, pixel brightness (PB) was extracted for each of the ten steps of the density standard (S1-S10). Then, each evaluated incisor tooth was assigned to one of 0-3 EOTRH grade-related groups and annotated using region of interest (ROI). For each ROI, the number of pixels (NP) from each range was calculated. The linear relation between an original X-ray beam attenuation and PB was confirmed for the density standard. The NP values increased with the number of steps of the density standard as well as with EOTRH degrees. Similar accuracy of the EOTRH grade differentiation was noted for data pairs EOTRH 0-3 and EOTRH 0-1, allowing for the differentiation of both late and early radiographic signs of EOTRH. CONCLUSION: The scaled-pixel-counting protocol based on the use of density standard has been successfully implemented for the differentiation of radiographic signs of EOTRH degrees.

Early incisor lesions and Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis: Reliability of radiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, early diagnosis of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) and other resorptive incisor diseases is difficult to achieve. The radiographic appearance of subtle pathological changes has not been described in detail and might be confused with age-related changes. OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to define typical radiographic signs of early incisor lesions and to evaluate the reliability of the radiographic findings. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive and comparative study using post mortem clinical, radiographic, macroscopic and µCT examination. METHODS: The incisor region of 20 cadaveric horse heads, divided into three different age groups, was examined visually and by palpation. Intraoral radiographs were taken. After extraction, each incisor was macroscopically evaluated. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) scans were obtained. These scans were processed with Scry (v6.0, Kuchel & Sautter GbR) to obtain surface meshes which then were transferred to Meshlab (ISTI-CNR, version 2016.12). Attached tissues were virtually removed and surface curvature was computed to visualise and evaluate the quantity of unevenness (roughness) of the teeth's surface. Scoring systems for each diagnostic modality were developed. Scores were compared to describe and evaluate the radiographic appearance of early incisor lesions. RESULTS: The prevalence and severity of incisor lesions increased with age. Early, subtle lesions develop on the palatal/lingual side of incisors. While radiographically detected lesions were confirmed macroscopically and on the µCT scans, numerous teeth which were radiographically classified as healthy displayed lesions by macroscopic inspection (13.7%) and µCT analysis (58.1%). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Cadavers were studied and dental history was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of early and subtle incisor lesions indicating first signs of EOTRH on dorsoventral intraoral radiographs is limited due to the typical localisation of the lesions on the palatal/lingual side of the incisors.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: Investigating individual incisor disease patterns using radiological classification.

BACKGROUND: Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a destructive, painful and underdiagnosed dental disorder. Radiography is necessary to fully assess the disease as early stages occur on clinically normal teeth. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution pattern of appearance of EOTRH within the incisor arcade. In particular, we aimed to determine the influence of tooth position and horse age on the severity of EOTRH as well as on the frequency of the individual severity stages. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional radiographic case study. METHODS: Digital radiographs of 142 horses (10 years and older) presented for routine dental examination at our Equine Hospital were obtained and evaluated for changes related to EOTRH. Radiological findings were classified in terms of EOTRH severity, and each tooth was evaluated individually (tooth stage). RESULTS: The tooth stages of EOTRH showed a bilateral symmetrical distribution pattern over the entire incisor arcade. There was a significant positive correlation between age and tooth stages (p < 0.001, rho = 0.48, 95% CI 0.43-0.51), and the frequency of higher tooth stages increased from central incisors to middle and corner incisors. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Individual head anatomy in some male horses lead to superimposition of the lower jaw corner incisors and canine teeth. The radiographic technique proved difficult in smaller and uncooperative horses. Differentiating between mild pathological signs of EOTRH and age-related radiological changes was not possible in all cases. CONCLUSION: These results reconfirm an age-correlated progression of EOTRH. EOTRH affects the incisor arcade in a bilaterally symmetrical pattern with the corner incisors being the most severely affected.

Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a recently described painful and progressive condition of unknown etiology that occurs in middle-aged and geriatric equines. It predominantly affects the permanent incisor and canine teeth and, less commonly, the premolar and molar dentition. EOTRH was first reported in peer-reviewed literature in 2008, with subsequent publications of case reports, histological studies and retrospective case series. There have been few significant research developments related to this disease. The existing studies have primarily involved single case studies or small sample sizes, without control groups. This review aimed to report current information about EOTRH in terms of clinical, histopathological, diagnostic, radiological, and therapeutic aspects, by searching the available peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Expression of Toll-like receptor and cytokine mRNAs in feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) and feline oral health.

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) is a common chronic inflammatory condition whose aetiopathogenesis remains unclear. FORL affects 20-75% of cats and causes excruciating pain and tooth loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate chronic inflammation in FORL by assessing differences in Toll-like receptor (TLR) and cytokine transcripts in gingival tissues between diseased and healthy cats. Gingival tissue samples were collected from 14 healthy cats with no known clinical signs of oral disease and 41 cats with FORL. Levels of mRNA encoding TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9 and the cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical significance of the results was assessed using non-parametric tests. Levels of TLR and cytokine transcripts were upregulated in gingival tissue from cats with FORL as compared with healthy gingival tissue: TLR2, TLR3 and TLR9, p ≤ 0.001; TLR4 and TLR7, p ≤ 0.01; IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-1ß and TNF-α, p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, expression of TLR and both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased, confirming an ongoing chronic inflammatory response to the microbiome in FORL. It is likely that dysbiosis of the oral microbiota in cats with FORL activates the innate immune response, leading to active inflammation that results in tooth resorption.

Clinical, Diagnostic and Histological Findings Involving Cheek Teeth Hypercementosis in Nine Horses.

Hypercementosis is infrequently reported to affect the cheek teeth of horses and presents as mineral deposits either attached (peripheral) or solitary ovoid (nodular) structures in the tooth bearing region. There is overlap between radiological and histological appearance of hypercementosis, cementoma, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH). The clinical presentation, imaging features, surgical management, and histological findings of nine horses that presented for dental lesions and associated hypercementosis of cheek teeth are reported. Horses were 4-15 years old and presented for either nasal discharge or facial swelling. Peripheral and nodular mineral structures were identified using radiographs or computed tomography in six and three horses, respectively. Eight of nine cases involved maxillary cheek teeth. Of six cases with peripheral hypercementosis, three had enlargement of the apical cross-sectional area that was greater than the coronal cross-sectional area thus preventing extraction along the normal eruption pathway and necessitating sectioning (two cases) and repulsion. Nodular hypercementosis lesions were extracted in three of the four cases. Post-extraction complications occurred in five cases; four cases required additional procedures. All horses returned to their intended use, ie riding or pasture. Histology of extracted dental and proliferative mineral material revealed hypercementosis characterized by large sheets of eosinophilic matrix with lacunae (usually empty; presumed artifact) and frequent, irregular, basophilic cement lines. All cases had evidence of chronic inflammation, such as caries, chronic fractures and/or pulpitis. The findings of this case series share many features with previous published descriptions of cementoma and with histological findings of hypercementosis lesions of EOTRH. Further investigation into differentiation of these entities is warranted.

Dental Pain in Cats: A Prospective 6-Month Study.

Dental pathology is among the most ubiquitous diseases in cats of all ages. Dental pain is yet to be fully understood in cats and therefore its presence is often missed. To better understand feline dental disease as a pain trigger during routine examination and whether disease severity correlates to the degree of pain, a 6-month prospective study in a cats' only veterinary hospital in Portugal was conducted. Sixty-four cats that randomly presented for different clinical procedures were evaluated. Dental and periodontal abnormalities (primary dental parameters, PDP), as well as clinical signs related to dental pain (secondary dental parameters, SDP), were assessed. All cats underwent an oral cavity examination, upon which, the Feline Acute Pain Scale from Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (CPS), was used in order to assess pain. Six PDP (periodontal disease, gingival index, calculus index, tooth resorption, tooth fracture and missing teeth) and five SDP (mouth discomfort, halitosis, hypersalivation, difficulty in holding food and several attempts at prehension of food), were compared with CPS pain scores. All SDP were significantly associated to higher CPS pain scores (p < 0.05). The number of missing teeth was significantly associated to higher CPS pain scores (p < 0.0001). A trend was observed between higher CPS pain scores and tooth resorption (p = 0.08). This study concluded that cats with dental disease feel pain during clinical examination and the pain increases as the severity of the disease progresses.

Selection of Filtering and Image Texture Analysis in the Radiographic Images Processing of Horses' Incisor Teeth Affected by the EOTRH Syndrome.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is one of the horses' dental diseases, mainly affecting the incisor teeth. An increase in the incidence of aged horses and a painful progressive course of the disease create the need for improved early diagnosis. Besides clinical findings, EOTRH recognition is based on the typical radiographic findings, including levels of dental resorption and hypercementosis. This study aimed to introduce digital processing methods to equine dental radiographic images and identify texture features changing with disease progression. The radiographs of maxillary incisor teeth from 80 horses were obtained. Each incisor was annotated by separate masks and clinically classified as 0, 1, 2, or 3 EOTRH degrees. Images were filtered by Mean, Median, Normalize, Bilateral, Binomial, CurvatureFlow, LaplacianSharpening, DiscreteGaussian, and SmoothingRecursiveGaussian filters independently, and 93 features of image texture were extracted using First Order Statistics (FOS), Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Neighbouring Gray Tone Difference Matrix (NGTDM), Gray Level Dependence Matrix (GLDM), Gray Level Run Length Matrix (GLRLM), and Gray Level Size Zone Matrix (GLSZM) approaches. The most informative processing was selected. GLCM and GLRLM return the most favorable features for the quantitative evaluation of radiographic signs of the EOTRH syndrome, which may be supported by filtering by filters improving the edge delimitation.

EOTRH Syndrome in Polish Half-Bred Horses - Two Clinical Cases.

The aim of this paper is to thoroughly describe the etiology, diagnostic processes and recommended treatment of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH). It is a relatively recently described disease. Most recent reports show that it is a common problem involving older equine patients. The most common and significant symptom of EOTRH is oral pain. The main clinical signs include periodontitis and gingivitis with a gingival recession, alveolar bone protrusion, periodontic fistulas and soreness of the incisors. When establishing the final diagnosis, it is necessary to compare the results of the clinical and radiological examination, because in the early stage, the disease may not show any symptoms. Authors used two clinical cases of Polish Half-Bred horses to present some aspects of diagnostic and surgical techniques. The knowledge presented in the paper may be valuable for equine practitioners working in the field to achieve more beneficial outcomes and provide a higher level of welfare for their equine patients. Nevertheless, further research and observations are necessary, since the etiology of the disease remains unclear.

Microbiome analysis of feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) and feline oral health.

Introduction. Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) is one of the most common and painful oral diseases of the cat. It is characterised by tooth resorption due to destructive activity of odontoclasts. FORL can result in tooth loss. While the aetiology of FORL is not clearly understood, it is thought to be multifactorial and bacteria are likely to play a major role.Hypothesis. Dysbiosis of the normal feline oral microbiota leads to an alteration in commensal bacteria populations, which results in the development of FORL.Aim. The purpose of the current study was to determine the composition of the microbiomes associated with feline oral health and FORL.Methodology. Supragingival plaque was collected from 25 cats with a healthy oral cavity and 40 cats with FORL. DNA was extracted from each sample, the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene amplified by polymerase chain reaction and amplicons sequenced. Diversity and species richness analyses were performed, principal component analysis was used to explore differences between the oral microbiomes of healthy cats and those with FORL, and linear discriminant analysis effect size was used to assess differences between the groups.Results. The six most abundant bacterial genera identified were Bergeyella, Capnocytophaga, Lampropedia, Morexella, Porphyromonas and Treponema. Two-step cluster analysis of the data identified two FORL sub-groups (FORL-1, FORL-2). The FORL-2 sub-group was very similar to the healthy group, whilst the FORL-1 sub-group was clearly different from both the FORL-2 sub-group and the healthy groups. In this analysis, Capnocytophaga (P <0.001) and Lampropedia (P <0.01) were found at significantly lower levels and Porphyromonas at a slightly higher level in the FORL-1 sub-group compared to the healthy and FORL-2 sub-groups. Microbial diversity was found to be less in the FORL-1 sub-group than in the healthy group. Lampropedia sp., a phosphate-accumulating oral commensal species, was significantly lower in the FORL-1 sub-group.Conclusion. The oral microbiota associated with the FORL-1 sub-group is distinct from that found in the healthy group and FORL-2 sub-group. Lampropedia species may influence the local calcium-phosphate ratio, which could be a factor in tooth and bone resorption observed in FORL.

Update on Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a progressive, painful disease, affecting incisors, canines, and cheek teeth. Examination findings include gingival inflammation, gingival recession and/or hyperplasia, subgingival swelling, bulbous enlargement of teeth, associated periodontal disease, pathologic tooth fracture, and/or tooth mobility and loss. Current hypotheses include biomechanical stresses and secondary bacterial involvement. Early recognition allows case management, but it is a progressive disease. Owner education is crucial; horses with complete or multiple extractions have a favorable prognosis. Human oral and dental health may be affected by bisphosophonate use; long-term effects of these drugs are currently unknown in horses.

Prevalence, Radiographic, and Demographic Features of Buccal Bone Expansion in Cats: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Referral Institution.

Buccal bone expansion (BBE) refers to bulbous enlargement of the periodontium in domestic cats. The origin of BBE is unknown, and some of its epidemiological, clinical, and radiographic features have not been fully characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific demographic characteristics are associated with BBE in cats; and whether BBE is associated with other relevant radiographic findings. Pertinent data were collected from archived dental radiographs and electronic medical records of 97 client-owned cats. Results showed that BBE is common in cats presented for evaluation and treatment of dental disease; that breed, sex, and age are not associated with BBE; that BBE is not associated with a pattern of horizontal alveolar bone loss/extrusion or tooth resorption; that a pattern of vertical alveolar bone loss is a typical feature of BBE; and that BBE represents a common cause of canine tooth loss in cats.

Tooth Resorption in Spanish Domestic Cats: Preliminary Data.

The objective of this study was to collect preliminary data about tooth resorption (TR) from cats treated at the Odontology Service (September 2016-June 2018), part of a University Veterinary Hospital in Spain, with specific emphasis on TR distribution per tooth. Diagnosis was based on visual/tactile inspection and intraoral dental radiographs. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 59 adult cats (27 females, 32 males). TR occurred in 39/59 cats (66.1%; 95% CI: 54.0%-78.2%). The median number of lesioned teeth per TR-affected animal was 3. A highly significant but weak correlation was found for age and number of TR-affected teeth per individual (Spearman´s correlation ρ = 0.381, P = .003, power = 0.853; N = 59). No TR cases were detected in incisors (0/708, 0%) but TR occurred in canines (21/236, 8.9%; 95% CI: 5.4%-12.4%), premolars (78/590, 13.2%; 95% CI: 10.5%-15.9%), and molars (33/236, 14%; 95% CI: 9.7%-18.3%). A significant age influence on TR was found. The greatest TR occurrence corresponded to 307 (21/59; 35.6%; 95% CI: 23.4%-47.8%) followed by 409 (17/59; 28.8%; 95% CI: 17.2%-40.3%), 407 (16/59; 27.1%; 95% CI: 15.7%-38.4%), and 309 (16/59; 27.1%; 95% CI: 15.7%-38.4%). These teeth would be considered as TR-sentinels in the studied population. These findings are relevant for veterinarians working in dental clinics, where the TR prevalence may be high especially in older cats.

Dental Pathology of the Domestic Pig (Sus Scrofa Domesticus).

Antemortem domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) dental pathology literature is sparse. This observational descriptive study evaluated 23 client-owned pigs that while sedated/anesthetized for routine annual care had intraoral dental radiographs and an oral examination performed. Age, gender, weight, and breed for each pig were recorded. Oral examination and radiographic findings were reviewed to create a comprehensive list of dental abnormalities identified. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the data. The study population included 14 castrated males and 20 Vietnamese pot-bellied mini-pigs. The median age was 3 years (range 2-12 years), and the median weight was 39 kg (range 11-140 kg). The most common finding was missing teeth (21/23 pigs); the first premolar tooth was the most likely to be absent (64/106 missing teeth). Periodontal disease was common (20/23 pigs). Advanced stages primarily affected the first molar teeth frequently in the form of a mucogingival defect. Supernumerary roots were discovered on the maxillary canine teeth in female pigs only (10/25 teeth with supernumerary roots). The most common persistent deciduous tooth was the maxillary second incisor (15/19 persistent deciduous teeth). Non-age or gender related open apices were most likely associated with mandibular first and second incisor teeth (26/96 teeth with open apices). Tooth resorption was also identified (7/23 pigs). The study findings prove that pet pigs commonly have dental pathology; therefore, thorough oral examinations with intraoral radiographs should be included in porcine routine health care regimens.

History, clinical findings and outcome of horses with radiographical signs of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis.

The progression of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) has not been completely evaluated, and currently, the only effective treatment is extraction of severely affected teeth. We aim to describe how the disease relates to the history and clinical findings and to report on the outcome in individual horses. This case series comprises data collected from 20 horses (age 14-29 years old) with radiographic findings of EOTRH in their incisor and/or canine teeth. Most horses affected with EOTRH in this study were admitted for dental problems, but some for other complaints such as colic. Of the 288 teeth evaluated radiographically, 224 teeth were abnormal. Radiographic findings were most frequently located in the apical aspect and reserve crown of the teeth, and lesions were also commonly found in clinically normal teeth. Histopathology of extracted teeth showed inflammation in the periodontal ligament and revealed that resorption often extended to the dentine. Some owners were unwilling to allow extraction of their horses' severely affected teeth, even though this treatment has been shown to increase the wellbeing of the horse. As EORTH is a life-long condition, the progression of the disease has to be continuously monitored and the treatments adjusted accordingly.

Optimised isolation method for RNA extraction suitable for RNA sequencing from feline teeth collected in a clinical setting and at post mortem.

Advanced next generation sequencing approaches have started to reveal the cellular and molecular complexity of the microenvironment in many tissues. It is challenging to obtain high quality RNA from mineralised tissues. We developed an optimised method of RNA extraction from feline teeth collected in a clinical setting and at post mortem. Teeth were homogenised in phenol-guanidinium solution at near-freezing temperatures and followed by solid-phase nucleic acid extraction utilising a commercially available kit. This method produced good RNA yields and improved RNA quality based on RNA integrity numbers equivalent (RINe) from an average of 3.6 to 5.6. No correlation was found between RNA purity parameters measured by A260:280 or A230:260 ratios and degree of RNA degradation. This implies that RNA purity indicators cannot be reliably used as parameters of RNA integrity. Two reference genes (GAPDH, RPS19) showed significant changes in expression levels by qPCR at low and moderate RINe values, while RPL17 was stable at all RINe values tested. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of quantity and quality of RNA on the quality of the resultant RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. Thirteen RNA-seq data showed similar duplication and mapping rates (94 to 95%) against the feline genome regardless of RINe values. However one low yield sample with a high RINe value showed a high duplication rate and it was an outlier on the RNA-seq multidimensional scaling plot. We conclude that the overall yield of RNA was more important than quality of RNA for RNA-seq quality control. These results will guide researchers who wish to perform RNA extractions from mineralised tissues, especially if collecting in a clinical setting with the recognised restraints that this imposes.