Diagnosis and surgical treatment of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar in five horses

Incidence of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar may be incr easing in horses, in part, because of the dental practices currently in use . Diagnosis of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar can be chal lenging without the use of multiple diagnostic aids, particularly ultrasono graphy. Elevation of the masseter muscle from the caudal portion of the mandible pr ovides excellent access to the third mandibular molar and good cosmetic app earance following surgery.