Equine Dentistry
The importance of proper equine dental care
The Basics of Horse Anatomy
Oral Anatomy
Equine Chewing
Cycle
Age-Related Facts
Modern Horse
Skull of a draft horse
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)
Oral Anatomy
 Abrasive foodstuffs.
 Long crowned teeth.
 All cheek teeth molar-like.
Eruption Times of Equine Teeth
 At birth, foal’s 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.
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
Eruption Times of Equine Teeth
 In 2 years, 24 deciduous
teeth are replaced by
permanent counterparts.
 Scrutiny of the horse’s
mouth is important during
this time.
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.
Why Horses Need Dental Care
Goals of Proper
Equine Dental Care
What about the
Wild Horse?
Elements of the
Dental Exam
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
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
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
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 don’t get dentistry that day,” says Bob Gregory, DVM
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, Xray, MRI)
Popular Myths about Dental Care
“Young horses don’t need dental care.”
“Wild horses don’t get dental care so my
horses don’t need it.”
“Horses only need dental care every few
years.”
“I am able to tell when my horse needs
dental care.”
The Facts about Proper Dental Care
Birth to 2 years—
Evaluate 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.
Geriatrics—
Evaluate 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!
Who Should Provide Dental Care
A Team Approach
Veterinary
Education
Myths and Facts
Licensed Veterinary
Professionals
A Team Approach
• A concerned ownerveterinarian 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.
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
Myths and Facts
Myth—”Veterinarians are not educated in dentistry.”
Fact—Dental education encompasses all 4 years of
Veterinary School and beyond.
Myth—”Veterinarians 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.
Myth—”Lay 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.
Equine Dentistry
Your horse’s health and well-being are best served by
licensed veterinary professionals—
 Veterinarians (DVMs)
 Veterinary Technicians (LVTs)
WA State Dept of Health establishes requirements for
 Training—initial and ongoing
 Licensing
 Accountability
Expect and demand competent treatment. Lay people without
proper training, operating outside the law should not provide
dental care.
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