a bright light source to be able to visualize who has placed a special emphasis on and and diagnose any problems. The final step has extensive training in this aspect of veteri- is to record all findings so that they can be nary medicine. Equine dentistry is much more reviewed at a later time. than just rubbing a rasp over a ’s teeth, it requires a thorough examination to detect any The Facts About problems and then the knowledge to correct Routine Dental Care or minimize those problems. Equine dental care is just part of the overall preventative he most common procedure your veteri- health maintenance program of your horse Equine narian will perform is typically called T provided by your veterinarian. Other parts of floating the teeth. This borrows a word from this program includes annual examinations, farriery which basically means to rasp or file. immunizations, parasite control and nutrition Dentistry Dental floats can be either muscle powered, counseling. electric, or air-powered. Care is taken to only remove sharp or abnormal surfaces and to For the health of your horse, contact your vet- preserve the roughness of the chewing sur- erinarian for more information on dental care faces to allow proper processing of the feed. that can make their life healthier and happier. Another common procedure is extraction of wolf teeth or retained . Extrac- tion of teeth is a surgical procedure which requires extra knowledge to perform. Poor sur- gical technique could lead to severe problems (i.e. excessive bleeding, fractures, etc.) and even death. Your veterinarian is well-trained in surgical techniques and emergency manage- ment of any related medical problems. Advanced equine dentistry may include pro- cedures such as extraction of diseased cheek teeth, endodontics to preserve teeth which have been fractured or had the pulp cham- ber exposed, and oral occlusal equilibration Missouri Veterinary Medical Association to correct imbalances between and 2500 Country Club Drive cheek teeth. An extensive knowledge of dental Jefferson City, MO 65109 anatomy, physiology, and function is neces- 573-636-8612 • 573-659-7175 (fax) sary to provide these advanced procedures. Visit our website at www.movma.org Many common human dental procedures are beginning to be applied to equine dentistry to This brochure was developed by the further advance the level of health care for the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association’s horse. Equine Committee While not every veterinarian is comfortable Photo credits: Another Service providing more advanced dental care, he or Front cover - Dr. Larry Kimberlin, DVM, Crossroads Veterinary Clinic. Provided By Your she, as the provider of your horse’s health Inside graphic - HorseQuest Magazine MVMA Member Veterinarian care, can refer you to another veterinarian

Rev. 4-2011 Common problems include sharp enamel points on the inside of the lower cheek teeth Why Need and the outside of the upper cheek teeth, ab- normal eruption of teeth, failure of deciduous teeth to be shed at the proper time, surface Dental Care wear abnormalities of cheek teeth, missing orses are unique among the domestic teeth and periodontal disease. A thorough Hanimals in that they have a relatively long examination will be necessary to fully detect all life span and have teeth that erupt through- of these problems. out their lifetime. This allows horses to have a continually renewed grinding surface with Courtesy: HorseQuest Magazine which to process their feed. However, this can Indications of create some special challenges in maintain- The teeth function to bite grass off ing the health of the horse. Abnormalities in when grazing. The canine teeth and wolf Dental Problems the eruption of the , the loss teeth do not have a digestive function but the • Loss of body condition of baby (deciduous) teeth, or the subsequent canine teeth may be used for fighting. The 24 wear of the teeth can result in problems rang- cheek teeth, six in each arcade are packed • Losing feed or saliva from mouth ing from mild discomfort to painful chewing together to form a chewing unit. They serve when eating difficulties and even to death in severe cases. as large grinding surfaces to break up feed Your veterinarian, with the aid of a thorough materials into smaller pieces before they go • Long fiber length in manure down into the stomach. The arcades must be oral exam, can determine the presence and • Poor performance, i.e. problems extent of any problems and can decide on a aligned from front to back to allow proper plan of action for correcting or minimizing the chewing. The cheek teeth surfaces angle up- • Malodorous breath wards from the cheek toward the tongue and problems. • Abnormal head postures, i.e. tilting are roughened on the chewing surfaces. Many horses develop sharp points on the inside of head when eating the lower cheek teeth and the outside of the Dental Anatomy upper cheek teeth due to this angulation and • Resisting bridling or the lolling the bit the failure to completely grind side-to-side for in the mouth and Function even wear. oals are usually born with up to 16 teeth. • Abnormal facial swellings FBy the time they are nine months old, their mouth may contain as many as 24 deciduous The Examination What constitutes a thorough examination? teeth. Shortly thereafter they will begin to erupt horse should have his mouth examined Typically a horse will have to be sedated to permanent teeth and to lose some of their by a veterinarian as part of an annual facilitate the exam. Although sedatives are deciduous teeth. By the time they are five years A physical exam. Younger horses (less than five generally safe, your veterinarian has the expert of age all of their deciduous teeth should be year of age) should be examined twice per knowledge of pharmacology and medicine to gone and all of their permanent teeth should year due to the eruption of and loss of teeth be prepared in case of an adverse reaction. be present. An adult horse typically has from during this time. Older horses or horses with Additionally, only veterinarians can legally 36 to 44 permanent teeth. The teeth can be specifically diagnosed problems may also prescribe sedatives to a client’s animals in the divided by type into 12 incisors, up to four need to be examined more frequently to state of Missouri. Other necessary components canine teeth, up to four wolf teeth, and 24 determine if problems exist that need to be of the oral exam include a full-mouth specu- cheek teeth. typically have fewer teeth corrected. lum to safely hold the horse’s mouth open and than stallions or .