Investigating Alpaca Dental Disease Etiology: A Comparative Study Using Dental and CT Examination

Principal investigator:

Nora Mareike Biermann, PhD
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
1/01/2025–12/31/2026
$14,950

Dental disease is increasingly recognized as a common health concern in the domesticated alpaca population, with over 80% of examined animals showing some form of dental problem. These issues include gabs between neighboring teeth (diastemata), abnormal tooth wear, inflammation of the gums and holding apparatus of a tooth (periodontal disease), and fractured or misaligned teeth. Periodontal disease, in particular, is linked to tooth root infections and bone infections of the jaw bones (osteomyelitis). Most affected alpacas are around five-years-old, which is when they complete their second set of teeth, suggesting that tooth eruption may contribute to dental problems. Additionally, dental issues are most often seen in the lower jaw cheek teeth, especially the second molar. Many alpacas are only diagnosed in chronic stages of disease requiring tooth extraction because tooth-saving procedures are no longer viable.

By the time many animals are treated, advanced imaging techniques show significant damage to the teeth and surrounding bone often preventing the identification of the disease's initial cause. Although recent studies have described the normal cheek teeth anatomy in alpacas, there is still limited information on the stages of dental disease and their causes. Routine dental examinations are not typically performed, contributing to the lack of data.

This study aims to fill this gap by using clinical and CT (computed tomography) examinations to identify early signs of dental disease and understand their causes. The goal is to improve early diagnosis, preventive care, and treatment options, including regular dental check-ups and early interventions.