Description of the Anatomical Appearances of Infundibula in Maxillary Cheek Teeth using Computed Tomography Compared with Oral Examination in Different Age Groups of Horses

Introduction: Correct identification of infundibular caries is mandatory before reconstruction can be performed. The aim of this study was to investigate age‐related changes in the infundibula using computed tomography (CT) and to compare these findings to those on oral examination. Material and Methods: A cross‐sectional prospective study was conducted on 40 cadaver heads. The horses were of equal sex distribution and were divided into the following age groups; immature (2‐5 years); adults (6‐14 years), and geriatric (≥15 years). CT scans of the heads and examination of the bisected oral cavity were performed. Infundibular abnormalities on CT were recorded using a validated grading system and infundibulae were measured. Infundibulae from unerupted teeth, where deciduous caps were present, and decupped or fractured were excluded. Results: The preliminary results consist of the CT classifications of infundibulae from 18 heads. CT examination identified infundibular lesions in 59/86 immature infundibulae, 68/140 adult infundibulae, and 55/120 geriatric infundibulae. Only geriatric horses showed infundibular lesions on oral examination (26/120). The prevalence of cemental hypoplasia was 65% (immature), 47% (adult) and 30% (geriatric). Discussion/conclusion: CT revealed a high percentage of infundibular lesions in all age groups. CT findings and oral examination findings do not correlate well.