This document discusses equine dentistry. It notes that horses naturally erode their teeth through grazing but domestic horses require floating to prevent sharp points from developing. Signs of dental issues include abnormal chewing, weight loss, and behavioral changes. Common dental problems addressed are retained caps, points, hooks, and fractures. Annual dental exams are recommended starting before bridling to thoroughly evaluate and float teeth as needed using sedation for safety and thoroughness.
2. Teeth erupt. They do NOT grow.
Horses are born with 18 deciduous (baby) teeth
• shed when adult teeth erupt beyond the gum line
Teeth erupt approximately 2-3 mm a year
Horse “floats” his own teeth by chewing
Feral horse:
• teeth are worn down by constant grazing of coarse material
(silicates)
• life expectancy of 12 years due to rate of tooth wear
Domesticated horse:
• is fed less frequent, softer meals
• Teeth last longer so horse lives longer (>30 years), but…
• develop sharp points from irregular bite alignment
3. dentalmaturity ~ 5 years
36-44 teeth
Incisors
Prehension & cutting
12
2 ½ to 4 ½
Canines
Defense & fighting
4*
4 to 6 years
Wolf teeth
Obsolete
4*
4 to 7 months
Premolars
Grind food
12
2 ½ to 3 ½ years
Molars
Grind food
12
1 to 3 years
4. Cup = cementum with enamel ring
Pulp cavity = dental star - appears at 9 years
5. Human tooth
Human teeth are
shiny and white as
they are covered in
enamel
but horse teeth are
covered in cement
Cement is stronger
but porous - stains
easily
Chlorophyll in fresh
grass discolours the
cementum.
6.
7.
8. Abnormal chewing action
Head shaking or holding head to one side
Quidding/dropping feed
Weight loss
Bit evasion & resistance (head tossing)
Bridling problems or head shy
Unbalanced or one sided when ridden
Facial swellings
Odorous breath
Unilateral (one sided) nasal discharge
Long fibers, oats or corn in manure
Impaction colic
9. Over or under bite
Shear/slant mouth
Fracture
Too long
• Preventing occlusion of PMs and Ms
Retained caps
15. Not canines!
Maxillary arcade only
0 – 2 (rarely 3)
• May be “blind”
Bit creates pressure of
gums/cheeks against
sharp WT
Remove prior to
bridling
• if sharp or loose
• or separated from the
second premolar
16. Young horse should
lose caps between 2.5
and 4.5 years
If caps persists, can
interfere with
mastication by
effectively elongating
that tooth
A loose but persistent
cap can be painful
Removed easily during
routine dental
19. Abnormal chewing
motion results in
“dominant teeth”
that are not worn
down as rapidly as
their opposing
teeth.
“Dominant” teeth
need to be reduced
to allow normal
circular motion
20. Loss of tooth allows
opposing tooth to
continue to grow
without wear
Restricts normal
circular mastication
Can puncture
opposite gumline
and cause pain and
peridontal disease
22. Horse has difficulty chewing because
of pain in the joint
Diagnosed with X-ray and/or
ultrasound
Can manage with NSAIDS or joint
injections
Many older horses need to be fed
small frequent meals due to arthritic
pain
23. Tooth fracture or loss
• Feed material get impacted within or between
teeth
• Gingivitis and infection of peridontal ligament
and bone
• Results in loosening of teeth and pain
Treat with extraction of tooth
• If reserve crown is long (young horse)…
tooth must be retro-pulse extracted
Open sinus and expel tooth from within the sinus into
the mouth
• If crown is short (older horse)…
may extract the tooth orally
24. Typically occur in younger horses
when the reserve crown is still within
the sinus
Can occur in older horses if tooth is
fractured or infection is severe enough
to penetrate into sinus
Clinical signs:
• Unilateral nasal discharge
• Reduced air flow
• Facial swelling
• Draining tract communicating with sinus
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26.
27.
28.
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30.
31. Annual
Start prior to bridling
To be thorough, use sedation with a
full speculum
32. Dentistry
• Gentle
Power equipment allows a complete thorough dental to
be performed in a shorter period of time
Jaw is held open for a shorter period of time
No laceration of mucosa or tongue
• Thorough
Maintenance dentistry and simple extractions
Board certified Equine Dentist for complicated
extractions and oral surgery
• Price includes first sedation
• Reduced price if performed/examined annually