THE importance of equine dentistry has long been underestimated by many owners and breeders and indeed many in the equine veterinary profession. Fortunately, this trend has reversed significantly in the last decade or so, with an increasing awareness of the many dental conditions which affect our equine patients and the ways in which we can treat and manage these conditions.

One of the significant developments in the equine veterinary profession in recent years has been a much more comprehensive education in equine oral and dental pathology, both to undergraduate and postgraduate vets. Coupled with improved dental and diagnostic equipment in many practices, it is now possible to identify and treat oral problems which would previously have gone undiagnosed. Intravenous sedation, legally permitted to be performed only by veterinarians, allows a horse to be relaxed and consent to have their mouth examined in a comprehensive manner not otherwise possible.

More comfortable

The use of an oral speculum, good light source and dental mirror are essential to allow thorough examination of the horse’s mouth. Head stands may be used to make the procedure more comfortable for both patient and examiner. Oral cameras are available and used by vets working in the field of equine dentistry to provide high definition video and still images of dental problems. Following a comprehensive oral examination, abnormal findings are recorded in digital or written form and a treatment plan is made.

Owners of performance and pleasure horses will be aware of the massive performance improvements which can be achieved following a ‘routine dental’ in a horse with undiagnosed oral and dental issues. For centuries, treatment has entailed use of abrasive hand rasps to file sharp points on the edges of a horse’s cheek teeth, a procedure performed very well by many vets and equine dental technicians. Motorised dental rasps are now frequently used and are a safe, effective and targeted tool in experienced hands.

Initial concerns about the safety of these motorised rasps have now abated with longstanding use, however it is vital that the operator using the equipment is familiar with its use, as excessive rasping by inexperienced operators can cause significant pain and discomfort in affected patients.

Complex problems

‘Wolf teeth’ or small vestigial premolars, which are located near the bit seat, are typically carefully extracted using local anaesthetic if present.

Some horses will display more complex problems than dental overgrowths. Other issues identified include severe overgrowths known as hooks, ramps and waves. Depending on severity and duration, these may need to be reduced in stages over a number of months to prevent painful pulp inflammation or exposure. Dental fractures may also be identified on oral examination. Cheek teeth fractures come in different configurations, some of which inevitably lead to root infection and necessitate the removal of the affected tooth. Abnormally developed or dysplastic teeth are occasionally identified. Oral cancers are another rare but occasionally identified problem.

One of the common and most significant issues identified on oral examination is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth, known as periodontal disease. This painful and performance-limiting condition is a topic too broad in scope to detail in a few lines, however when identified, effective treatments now exist to manage the associated pain and prevent progression to more severe disease and tooth loss.

If your horse is failing to thrive, resents bit contact or is performing poorly under saddle, dental problems are worth considering as a potential cause. A thorough examination by your vet or qualified dental technician will help identify the issue and set your patient on the road to recovery.