Equine Dental Abnormalities

& Dentistry

Brendan Kraus, DVM

Photos courtesy Leon Scrutchfield,DVM

Equine Teeth

Horses evolved as a continuously grazing animal Free range horses graze 10-12 hours per day.

Dental problems have been made worse by man altering the horse’s natural lifestyle Stalled horses eat grain or pelleted feed in short

periods of time.

The composition of the diet has a great influence on the development of dental abnormalities Lack of grazing to wear incisors Lack of fiber mastication to wear cheek teeth

• Lateral movement of jaw is important

Equine Teeth, cont.

Horses developed teeth suited to mastication of grass High Crowns

Abrasives would wear out low-crowned teeth

Increased # of cusps Complex pattern of enamel Self sharpening (layers with different

degrees of hardness) Increased size of grinding teeth Formation of grinding teeth into a battery

(arcade)

Hypsodont Teeth

Adult Teeth are continually erupting.

At least 2-3mm per year to allow for worn away tooth

Allows for dental abnormalities to compound themselves

Teeth will eventually slow down eruption, and “wear out”

Horse Tooth Complex

Enamel

Pulp/dentin complex

Cementum

Young Teeth/Old Teeth

Veterinary Dentistry

The field has recently been advanced with the development of improved tools and sedatives

Artificially wear down the teeth with manual or power instrumentation Correct problems that have developed “Maintenance” to prevent problem

development Shaping of teeth to enhance

use/performance

Veterinary Dentistry, cont.

Help Promote Effective Chewing

Help Prevent Colic and Choke

Help protect the mouth’s soft tissues

Help prevent discomfort from the bit

Help prevent discomfort from the bridle

Help prevent neck and back pain

Help alleviate problems in the “Golden Years”

Dental Abnormality Symptoms

NONE!

Slobber Eat Slowly Tilt Head Quid Head Toss Chew the bit

Tail Swing Bucking Refuse collect

or take lead Facial swelling Nasal

discharge Draining tracts

Oral Examination

Wash out feed material

Sedation Stocks/

Restraint Full Mouth

Speculum Light source

Abnormalities

Sharp Enamel Points

Hooks Ramps Steps Waves Transverse

Ridges Incisors

Bite Retained Caps Periodontal

Disease Wolf Teeth

Sharp Enamel Points

Hooks

Caps-Retained Deciduous Premolars

First 3 Cheek Teeth in Place at Birth

Permanents erupt in-caps shed 2 Years Eight Months 2 years Ten Months 3 Years Eight Months

Lower Jaw Caps

Upper Caps

What Killed This Horse?

Wolf Teeth

Blind Wolf Tooth

Lower Wolf Tooth

Canines

Incisors

Retained Baby Incisor

Wave Mouth

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Other Problems

Parrot Mouth

Extractions

■ Some teeth are beyond correction

■ Teeth which are loose, broken, or in the

wrong position may need to be extracted

■ Extraction can be easy or very difficult

■ Specialized equipment and sedation is

required.

Equipment

Diamond Burr

Picks/Gingival Elevators

Mirror

Slim Hand Float

Extractors

Dental Conditions: “You Never Know Till You Look”

Questions?