Equine Dentistry The importance of proper equine dental care

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Equine DentistryThe importance of proper equine
dental care
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The Basics of Horse Anatomy
Oral Anatomy Equine Chewing Cycle Age-Related
Facts
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From Ancient to Modern Horse

• Horses were forest animals
• 55 million years ago (Eohippus-the dawn horse)
• Small (50 lbs)
• Short, square brachydont teeth
• Diet of succulent forage
• Five toes

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From Ancient to Modern Horse

• Evolved/adapted to live on grasslands
• Began in North America
• 32 extinct genera
• 150 species of fossil horses
• 4.5 million years ago, now a single toe
• Reintroduced to North America 16th century

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Modern Horse
Skull of a draft horse
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Oral Anatomy

• Equine tooth made of
• Cementum
• Dentin
• Enamel
• Allows tooth to be self-sharpening
• Each arcade has
• 3 incisors, 3 premolars, 3 molars
• May have one canine
• May have one vestigial pre-molar (wolf tooth)

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Oral Anatomy

• Abrasive foodstuffs.
• Long crowned teeth.
• All cheek teeth molar-like.

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Eruption Times of Equine Teeth

• At birth, foals face cannot accommodate full
  complement of teeth.
• 3 deciduous incisors erupt starting from the
  center at 7 days, 7 weeks and 7 months.
• All 12 deciduous premolars present at birth or
  erupt soon after.
• Molars do not have a deciduous precursor.
• Molars erupt at 1, 2 and 3.5 years.

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Eruption Times of Equine Teeth

• Permanent incisors (center to corner) replace
  their deciduous precursors at
• 2.5 years
• 3.5 years
• 4.5 years
• Deciduous premolars are replaced at
• 2.5 years
• 2 years, 8 months
• 3 years, 8 months

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Eruption Times of Equine Teeth

• In 2 years, 24 deciduous teeth are replaced by
  permanent counterparts.
• Scrutiny of the horses mouth is important during
  this time.

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Eruption Times of Equine Teeth

• Canines (fighting teeth) usually erupt at 4 6
  years in males. Often absent or rudimentary in
  mares.
• Wolf teeth (vestigial 1st premolars) usually
  erupt at 6-12 months of age.
• Neither of these teeth serve a purpose in
  chewing.

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Why Horses Need Dental Care
Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care What about
the Wild Horse? Elements of the Dental Exam
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Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care

• Thorough oral exam necessary
• Abnormality
• Acquired disease
• Optimize jaw and mouth function
• Remove excessive chewing forces on individual
  teeth (malocclusions)
• Preserve tooth structure (equilibrate eruption)
• Prevent periodontal disease
• Alleviate pain
• Address any issues preventing horse from
  functioning at optimum level

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Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care

• Make dentistry a regular element of good health
  care
• Prevent early problems from becoming lifelong,
  expensive
• Find hidden, painful problems to alleviate
  suffering
• Allow horses to keep functional teeth for entire
  lives

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Elements of the Dental Exam

• Treat the whole horse
• Have and know how to use proper equipment
• Thorough knowledge of equine surgery, medicine
  and dentistry
• Have access to additional diagnostics

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Elements of the Dental Exam

• Most important? Interest, desire, education,
  proper training.
• The mouth is only a part of the whole horse.
• General exam and evaluation of the whole horse.
• Not unusual to find other significant health
  issues.

4 of horses examined dont get dentistry that
day, says Bob Gregory, DVM
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Elements of the Dental Exam

• History
• Physical exam
• Sedation
• Full mouth speculum
• Bright light source
• Correct equipment (mirror, cheek retractor,
  picks, etc.)
• Access to additional diagnostics (lab, X-ray, MRI)

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Popular Myths about Dental Care

• Young horses dont need dental care.
• Wild horses dont get dental care so my horses
  dont need it.
• Horses only need dental care every few years.
• I am able to tell when my horse needs dental
  care.

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The Facts about Proper Dental Care

• Birth to 2 yearsEvaluate to determine if
  everything developed correctly.
• 2-5 years Evaluate to determine if all
  permanent teeth erupted as they should.
• 5-20 years Regular checkups to make sure no
  disease or injury threatens the health of the
  horse.
• GeriatricsEvaluate to ensure the horse can eat
  properly, is not in pain, answer questions on
  feeding a geriatric horse.
• All ages benefit from regular dental exams!

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Who Should Provide Dental Care
A Team Approach Veterinary Education Myths and
Facts Licensed Veterinary Professionals
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A Team Approach

• A concerned owner-veterinarian team is best for
  the horse.
• Care on a regular basis can assure health,
  longevity.
• Dentistry is ONE element of good health care.
  Must be coupled with a complete physical exam.

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Veterinary Education Licensure

• To provide thorough, competent equine dental
  care
• Understand anatomy, physiology, pharmacology,
  pathology and clinical applications
• Assess the whole horse, recognize health issues
• Apply clinical skills, correctly use medical
  drugs and sedatives, have access to diagnostics
  (lab, X-ray, MRI)
• Only licensed veterinarians have the necessary
  training and are allowed by law to diagnose,
  treat, prescribe

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Myths and Facts

• MythVeterinarians are not educated in
  dentistry.
• FactDental education encompasses all 4 years of
  Veterinary School and beyond.
• MythVeterinarians are not interested in
  dentistry.
• Fact Committed veterinarians are part of a
  network of Equine Health Care Professionals.
  Some veterinarians prefer to refer dental care.
• MythLay people who do teeth are more
  qualified.
• Fact Floating only training cannot substitute
  for a comprehensive veterinary education.
  Veterinarians are trained, licensed to use
  sedation, take X-rays. Continuing education is
  required throughout their careers.

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Equine Dentistry

• Your horses health and well-being are best
  served by licensed veterinary professionals
• Veterinarians (DVMs)
• Veterinary Technicians (LVTs)
• WA State Dept of Health establishes requirements
  for
• Traininginitial and ongoing
• Licensing
• AccountabilityExpect and demand competent
  treatment. Lay people without proper training,
  operating outside the law should not provide
  dental care.

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