Abstract

Background:
Equine periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory condition of bacterial origin that is common in all age groups, but more common in geriatric animals. It causes dysphagia, progressive weight loss, and premature tooth loss. Due to the relevance of PD to the species and the difficult treatment, platelet-enriched plasma has become a viable option for treating PD in horses based on accelerated healing through the growth factors present in platelets. This study aimed to report the clinical effect of the intralesional application of platelet-enriched plasma in the molars of horses previously diagnosed with PD.

Case Description:
Eleven teeth from seven horses, all of age, of both sexes, from the same farm and under a single feeding system, were used for the study. The initial diagnosis of PD included physical, traditional dental, and radiological examinations. The treatment consisted of cleaning, debridement, and curettage of the periodontal pocket, followed by the intralesional application of 1 mL of platelet-enriched plasma. Clinical improvement in PD was determined by the appearance of the tissues surrounding the tooth, periodontal pocket depth measurement, and radiological examination.

Conclusion:
Intralesional platelet-enriched plasma combined with curettage resulted in clinical improvement, demonstrating a promising innovation for treating equine PD.

Key words: Dentistry; Growth factors; Horses; Molars; Periodontium.