Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography - Part 2: Maxillary cheek teeth

Abstract

Background Scientific knowledge regarding alpaca dentistry is relatively limited despite its clinical implications. The present gap in available supportive data leads to limited treatment options for dental pathology in alpacas in comparison to other species. The main goal of this study was to gain novel insights into the general and pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth to allow development of more advanced treatment strategies in the future. Also, the risk of causing pulp exposure when floating maxillary cheek teeth was of particular interest. Concurent research focusing on the anatomy of mandibular cheek teeth has been performed accordingly. The results obtained in mandibular teeth are expected to be non-extrapolatable because of the structural differences between mandibular and maxillary teeth. Results Pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth showed great variation. A common pulp chamber was identified in 46/83 (55.4%) teeth with a mean dental age of 2 years and 7 months (± 2 years and 5 months). Pulpal segmentation was more commonly observed in teeth of increasing age. Full columnar segmentation was seen in 33/69 teeth (47.8%), whereas within-column segmentation was observed in 36/83 teeth (43.4%). Age and degree of segmentation of the pulpal tissue varied greatly according to Triadan position. Physical contact between roots of adjacent teeth was found in the majority of examined molars (range 82–94%) which resulted in morphological adaptations at the level of the root tips. The measured sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was as low as 0.46 mm above pulp horn 2 in a 14 years and 11 months old Triadan 09, emphasizing the risk of pulp exposure attributed to dental floating. Conclusion This study offers an objective description of age-dependent maxillary cheek teeth pulp morphology in alpacas. Current findings are of great value to provide a basis for the development of tooth-saving techniques as a treatment for dental disease in this species. Observed physical contact between the roots of different examined molars may be a facilitating factor in the spread of apical infection in chronically diseased cases. Finally, a conservative approach regarding dental floating is recommended in order to avoid iatrogenic damage to pulp tissue.

A histological description of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) cheek teeth: Findings and anatomical variations in macroscopically normal molars

“…Hence, apical infections, previously termed tooth root abscesses, are the most common dental condition affecting alpacas, primarily involving the cheek teeth ( 1 ). Recently, micro-computed tomographic studies have confirmed that adjacent tooth roots from different cheek teeth can physically contact each other ( 7 , 8 ). However, up until now, no histological studies have been published focusing on the normal histological findings at the level of the cheek teeth in this species.…”

“…The microscopical characteristics of the dental hard substances and dental and periodontal tissues were described and alpaca specific structures were identified. Referencing to specific pulp horns and root canals was based on a specific numbering system for alpaca cheek teeth ( 7 , 8 ). A classification of different types of dentin was performed based on the classification system as proposed by Dacre et al ( 11 ) in other hypsodont species.…”

“…This has led to novel insights into diagnosis and treatment strategies of dental pathology in horses (4)(5)(6). An extensive µ-CT study of normal mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth anatomy in alpacas illustrated the presence of a complex and dynamic dental pulp architecture characterized by the age-related development of several separated pulp segments from an originally interconnected pulp system with a common pulp chamber as the central entity (7,8). Imaging studies have also shown close contacts between roots of adjacent cheek teeth which raised questions concerning its contribution to the development and spread of infectious dental disease (7)(8)(9).…”

“…An extensive µ-CT study of normal mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth anatomy in alpacas illustrated the presence of a complex and dynamic dental pulp architecture characterized by the age-related development of several separated pulp segments from an originally interconnected pulp system with a common pulp chamber as the central entity (7,8). Imaging studies have also shown close contacts between roots of adjacent cheek teeth which raised questions concerning its contribution to the development and spread of infectious dental disease (7)(8)(9). Further histopathological investigations and the characterization of dental diseases in alpacas are hampered by a lack of data describing the normal microanatomical appearance of dental substances as well as pulp and periodontal tissues in alpaca cheek teeth.…”

Tooth Root Abscess and Mandibular Infections in Old World Camelids: 3 Cases

“…CT has proven superior to radiography in the evaluation of dental disease in horses and is now routinely used in this species [22]. Multiple research and clinical studies have investigated CT in the evaluation of normal and abnormal dentition and other maxillary abnormalities in New World Camelids [20,21,[23][24][25]. While comparative studies in Old World Camelids are lacking to date, CT is expected to provide similar superior information to radiographs when evaluating these patients for suspected dental disease and may be considered in future clinical cases as well as research settings.…”