What does this research mean for the field?

Geriatric horses require multiple cheek tooth extractions primarily for periodontal disease more frequently than non-geriatric horses, yet experience similar complication rates and require fewer invasive extraction techniques. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to describe clinical features and outcomes of cheek tooth extractions in horses, focusing on differences between geriatric and non-geriatric populations.

June 3, 2026

Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non‐geriatric horses

Key Points

The aim is to describe clinical features and outcomes of cheek tooth extractions in horses, focusing on differences between geriatric and non-geriatric populations.
Retrospective analysis of clinical records from horses undergoing cheek tooth extractions (2018-2022)
Data compared between geriatric (≥20 years) and non-geriatric (<20 years) horses
Clinical features, treatments, complications, and outcomes were analyzed.
Geriatric horses had significantly higher instances of periodontal disease (53.3% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.001)
Geriatric horses often required extraction of multiple teeth (53.8% vs. 28.5%; p < 0.001) and had concurrent diseases (29.2% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001)
Complication rates were similar across age groups (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.98-1.01] p = 0.201) and short-term outcomes were favorable for geriatric horses.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Age-related dental changes are major contributors to dental disorders in older horses, and cheek tooth extractions are often required to maintain masticatory function and oral comfort. However, limited information is available on clinical and treatment characteristics in this older patient population. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features, treatments, complication rates and short-term outcomes of horses undergoing oral cheek tooth extraction and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, and to compare findings between geriatric and non-geriatric horses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. METHODS: Data of horses undergoing cheek tooth extractions (2018-2022) were collected and analysed. Clinical features, treatments and outcomes were recorded and analysed by age (per year) as well as by comparisons between non-geriatric (<20 years) and geriatric (≥20 years) horses. RESULTS: In total, 442 horses undergoing 710 dental extractions were included: 154 (34.8%) were geriatric and 288 (65.2%) non-geriatric. Geriatric age was significantly associated with the reason for extraction, with periodontal disease being the most frequent reason (53.3% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.001). Geriatric horses more often required extraction of multiple teeth (53.8% vs. 28.5%; p < 0.001) and extraction of mandibular cheek teeth (42.9% vs. 25.7%; p < 0.001). They were also more likely to have concurrent diseases (29.2% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001) and to receive long-term medication (14.9% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001). On the other hand, increasing age was significantly associated with lower odds of receiving antibiotics (OR 0.95 95% CI 0.92-0.98 p < 0.001) and requiring invasive extraction technique (OR 0.96 95% CI 0.93-0.99 p = 0.011). Complication rates did not differ (OR 0.98 95% CI 0.98-1.01 p = 0.201). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Retrospective single-centre design. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric horses more frequently required extraction of multiple teeth, primarily for periodontal disease, whereas non-geriatric horses more often required invasive extraction techniques while complication rates did not differ between age groups and the short-term outcome was favourable in geriatric horses.

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