Presentation and management of advanced occlusal caries affecting the maxillary cheek teeth of four horses

This case series describes the management of advanced occlusal caries of the maxillary cheek teeth in four horses. All horses presented with grade 4 caries, i.e., affecting cementum, enamel, dentine and the integrity of the tooth. Food packing in deep cavities on the occlusal surface were present in all horses. Two horses presented with pulpitis of teeth adjacent to the occlusal caries lesions. The carious lesions were mostly limited to the occlusal surface of maxillary cheek teeth, whereas the peripheral cementum to a large degree remained unaffected. Management of these cases included cleaning, flushing, and debriding of carious surfaces and placing a flowable resin composite on areas with extensive tooth loss to prevent food packing and further destruction of dental tissues. Endodontic therapy was performed in two cases. Some of the horses that exhibited clinical signs showed improvement after treatment and none of the cases showed deterioration of caries lesions. One horse showed complete resolution of occlusal caries.