Abstract
Due to the length of the reserve crown and roots of equine cheek teeth,
especially in younger horses, their extraction (exodontia) can be a
challenging procedure with the potential for many types of
post-extraction complications to develop. The prevalence of
post-extraction complications is greatly influenced by the exodontia
technique used, with unacceptably high levels of complications with the
traditional repulsion technique and conversely, low levels of
complications with oral extraction performed by skilled operators.
Recent objective studies on post-exodontia problems in horses have also
highlighted some risk factors for the development of post-extraction
problems including exodontia of rostral mandibular teeth in young
horses, and exodontia of teeth with apical infections The recent
recognition that some non-healing post-extraction equine alveoli suffer
from a disorder very similar to dry socket in humans, may help
clinicians to recognise, treat and possibly help prevent this disorder.