The examination of 220 normal and 130 diseased equine (extracted) cheek teeth was performed using a variety of traditional and novel imaging techniques primarily to assess the aetiopathogenesis of the important dental disorders of apical infection and "idiopathic" dental fracture. Optimal settings for radiography and computer axial scanning of normal and diseased cheek teeth were determined. It was found that standard radiography of extracted cheek teeth was very poor at identifying intradental anatomical or pathological features, whilst computer axial scanning gave accurate information on both normal and abnormal radiographic features. Newly established histological techniques allowed preparation of undecalcified sections of 4-6 μm thickness, and undecalcified sections of 50-60 μm thickness. The current classification of equine dentine was modified, with primary, regular secondary, irregular secondary and tertiary dentine all being categorised separately. Previously undescribed histological features of normal and diseased equine teeth were identified such as dentinal pearls, interglobular dentine, caries and the presence of pioneer micro-organisms. The normal endodontic anatomy of all 24 cheek teeth was established, with individual pulp horns being identified using a unique numbering system. Anatomical parameters of dentine were established for normal cheek teeth, and these were compared to those of apically infected cheek teeth. A decreased presence of primary and secondary dentine, predentine and intertubular dentine was found in diseased teeth compared with normal cheek teeth, but increased number of resting lines were present in diseased cheek teeth. Analysis of 50 individual apically infected cheek teeth showed anachoretic pulpitis to be the most common aetiology, with occlusal pulp exposure often being a secondary finding. Apical infection caused by periodontal disease or infundibular caries was uncommon finding. Fracture patterns to the clinical crown of equine cheek teeth were grouped, with most fractures involving the buccal pulp horns of both maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth.

Most people have experienced toothache and know how much it effects the health. It hurts to eat, it ́s hard to sleep and sometimes a small gesture as a smile is avoided because it pains to much. Of course animals have the same issue and feel pain but they can’t tell us how they feel, instead we have to look for signs from their behavior. The recommendation to regularly check the horse’s teeth does minimize the risk of pain. The knowledge within the field of equine dentistry is on the rise and educations and regulations is developing to give the best dental care possible. This has created a need of the right tools adopted to this specific field and this is where a company like Accesia has a chance to be at the forefront of this development. Accesia is a company that have developed tools and educations about the animal dental profession since 2009. Until now the focus has been on smaller animals like cats, dogs and rodents but now they are widening their customer field and develops for this new market, equine dentistry. To get a understanding of this new customers some field studies has been performed and needs that are separate from the previous customer needs has been identified. It ́s not only the size that differs from the dentist working with cats and dogs, it ́s also the working environment and the anatomic conditions that looks completely different. For this thesis the main goal has been to identify how a unit for the tools used by equine dentists should be structured and what parts that should be included to endure the transportation and environment where it will be used. To gain this information, several interviews were conducted with the main users and the experts working on Accesia. The gathered information where later analyzed, concretized and explored in a product concept. This report will go through the different stages in the design process that led to a final design concept which were presented with a prototype and posters at a thesis fair organized by Jönköping University.