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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
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?
