Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 48-52

Journal: European Journal of Wildlife Research

Volume number: 50

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1612-4642

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-003-0035-7

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.

Harvard Citation style: Kierdorf, U., Konjević, D., Janicki, Z., Slavica, A., Keros, T. and Curlik, J. (2004) Tusk abnormalities in wild boar (Sus scrofa L.), European Journal of Wildlife Research, 50(1), pp. 48-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-003-0035-7

APA Citation style: Kierdorf, U., Konjević, D., Janicki, Z., Slavica, A., Keros, T., & Curlik, J. (2004). Tusk abnormalities in wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). European Journal of Wildlife Research. 50(1), 48-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-003-0035-7