Vetnews | Maart 2026 44 « BACK TO CONTENTS As humans, we are understandably concerned about the space left behind after a tooth extraction. An edentulous gap is not just a cosmetic issue; it can lead to drifting of adjacent teeth as they attempt to close the space, or supereruption of the opposing tooth into the void. Both may result in malocclusion and further pathology. These same principles apply in many animal species. In non-human primates, equids and artiodactyls, post-extraction space can have significant long-term consequences. Tooth removal in these species should therefore never be considered routine. In the juvenile chimpanzee shown below (Fig. 1), the abscessed maxillary deciduous incisor presents a clinical dilemma. Extraction of this tooth may not only damage the developing permanent tooth bud but also allow the adjacent deciduous incisors to drift into the space. This narrowing can create a physical barrier to the eruption of the permanent successor. The result may be lifelong malocclusion. The adult Mona monkey below illustrates what loss of a maxillary incisor can mean functionally (Fig. 2). Loss of the left 1st maxillary incisor tooth has resulted in obvious incisor malalignment. In species that rely heavily on precise incisor tooth occlusion for food prehension and social signalling, this is more than an aesthetic issue. Equine practitioners are well acquainted with similar concerns. Cheek teeth extraction in horses carries recognised risks of drifting, supereruption and secondary occlusal abnormalities. Interestingly, as early as the turn of the 20th century, veterinarians and dentists were already experimenting with bridges to maintain the normal positioning of equine cheek teeth after extraction; a reminder that this is not a new problem. Carnivores, however, are different. In domestic dogs and cats, significant post-extraction drifting or supereruption is uncommon. Carnivore dentition is highly specialised for grasping, slicing and crushing. With this specialisation comes relative occlusal stability. The premolar teeth in dogs, and the premolar and molar teeth in cats, function as cutting blades rather than grinding tables. As a result, the occlusal dynamics differ markedly from those of herbivores and primates, and the clinical consequences of extraction are usually less dramatic. The take-home message is simple: dentition behaves differently across species. As veterinarians, it is incumbent upon us to diagnose oral disease early and to consider the long-term biomechanical consequences of extraction. This is particularly true in species where tooth loss may compromise eruption patterns, occlusion and ultimately quality of life. Saving a tooth is not always possible. But in some species, it may make all the difference. v Regulars I Dental Column Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery Referrals Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Clinic, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Clinic, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Old Soutpan Road (M35), Onderstepoort, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)12 529 8276, Fax: +27 (0) 12 529 8479, e-mail: sadent@mweb.co.za, website: www.vetdentsa.co.za, Facebook: Vetdent SA How concerned are we with the space left after extraction? Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, Dr Mareli van de Wetering and Dr Michael Ferreira Figure 1. Abscessed left maxillary incisor tooth of a juvenile chimpanzee. This is a deciduous tooth, and its extraction of it should be done with care to protect the developing incisor tooth Figure 2. An adult Mona monkey with malocclusion of the incisor teeth due to loss of the left 1st maxillary incisor tooth
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