Authors: Kierdorf, U.¹; Konjević, D.²; Janicki, Z.²; Slavica, A.²; Keros, T.³; Čurlik, J.⁴

Source: European Journal of Wildlife Research, Volume 50, Number 1, March 2004 , pp. 48-52(5)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

This paper describes pathological alterations in the permanent canines (tusks) of four male wild boars. The mandibular tusks of all individuals, and also some of the maxillary tusks, exhibited an extended enamel hypoplasia in their apical portion, denoting an impairment of secretory ameloblast function. Moreover, the pulp cavities of the mandibular tusks were exposed through cleft-like openings in the wear (whetting) surfaces of the teeth. Presence of a plug of reparative dentine within the pulp cavity was observed in a split mandibular tusk of one individual. In a second boar, the presence of a plug of reparative dentine within the pulp cavity of the mandibular tusks was indicated radiographically. These findings suggested a reparation process attempting to demarcate a vital, apical pulp portion from a necrotic, incisal portion. The enamel hypoplasias observed in the teeth are regarded to be sequelae of the pulp inflammation caused by bacterial invasion in the mandibular tusks. Most likely, bacterial invasion of the dental pulp occurred through the cleft-like openings in the tusks' whetting surfaces, the openings resulting from insufficient formation of secondary dentine. It is, however, also conceivable that pulp inflammation and partial necrosis occurred as a consequence of bacterial invasion of patent dentinal tubules, and that the openings in the whetting surface developed secondarily as a consequence of the pulp changes. One mandibular tusk showed marked signs of resorption apically, suggesting a spread of the inflammation from the pulp into the periodontium.

Keywords: Wild boar (Sus scrofa); Teeth; Enamel; Dentine; Pulp; Inflammation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10344-003-0035-7

Affiliations: 1: Institute of General and Systematic Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 , Giessen, Germany, Email: kierdorf@lindlar.de 2: Chair for Game Biology, Pathology and Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 , Zagreb, Croatia, 3: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska 145, 10000 , Zagreb, Croatia, 4: University of Veterinary Medicine Košice, Komenskeho 73, 04181 , Košice, Republic of Slovakia,

Publication date: 2004-03-01

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