7.1.1: Dental exam and routine dental procedures Flashcards
Describe normal equine dentition
- Horses have hypsodont (high crowned) teeth
- They are constantly eruptung
- Eruption is faster in younger than older horses
The roots of which teeth are in the sinuses?
- Upper 08-11 are in the maxillary sinuses i.e. (108-111, and 208-211)
Which sinus do the roots of 108 and 109, and 208 and 209, lie in?
The rostral maxillary sinus
Which sinus do the roots of 110 and 111, and 210 and 211, lie in?
The caudal maxillary sinus
The first premolar is the wolf tooth - what number does this have on the dental chart?
105/205
True/false: the lower cheek teeth are slightly wider set than the upper cheek teeth and obviously angulated to provide a lateral grinding surface.
False.
The upper cheek teeth are the ones set wider. There is obvious angulation present.
How can the shape of the corner incisor be used to age a horse?
- Corner incisor (203) changes shape according to age
- Less than 10 years old = wider than it is long
- Approx. 10 years old = square in shape
- Over 10 years old = longer than it is wide
True/false: horses have deciduous teeth that drop out.
True
What is the most accurate way of ageing horses by their teeth?
Ageing horses by teeth is largely inaccurate but the best way to do this is by eruption times.
What is quidding and what can it be a sign of?
Quidding: dropping feed when it tries to eat.
This can be a sign of dental problems.
What are some generic signs of dental problems?
- Quidding
- Change in feeding habits
- Salivation
- Bitting/riding problems e.g. excessive head shaking
- Weight loss
- Asymmetry/swellings
- Halitosis
- Nasal discharge (3rd molar or further back is in the sinuses)
- Can see impaction colics if not chewing food properly
True/false: wolf teeth always require removal.
False.
Upper wolf teeth shouldn’t interfere with the bit if they are in the normal position and tucked nicely next to the upper 6s.
When should you remove wolf teeth?
If they are:
* Large
* Unerupted (blind) i.e. gum still covering them
* Abnormally positioned
* Lower
* Fractured/loose
* Present on one side only
True/false: all horses have wolf teeth.
False
What do the black circles indicate?
Likely site for sharp enamel points to form
Where are sharp points normally found?
- Buccal aspect of the maxillary teeth
- Lingual aspect of the mandibular teeth
Why might sharp points form?
- Anisognathic anatomy
- Continual eruption of teeth
- Eruption rate exceeding wear (link to diet)
Describe the pathology seen in this image
There are sharp points and ulcers associated with them
Describe the steps to a dental exam
- Sedate if required; some vets always sedate (alpha-2 agonist or combination)
- Incisor exam: check for alignment, missing teeth, diastema, impacted food, fractures
- Place the gag and open gradually, one side of the mouth at a time
- Rinse the mouth out
- Undertake thorough oral exam, checking for mucosal inflammation, ulceration, sharp enamel points, alignment of upper and lower arcades, infundibular and peripheral caries, diastemata, missing teeth, fractures. Note any pathology on a dental chart.
What should you assess in a dental exam?
- Mucosal inflammation/ulceration
- Sharp enamel points on the cheek teeth
- Alignment of upper and lowe arcades
- Infundibular and peripheral caries
- Diastemata
- Missing teeth
- Fractures
Buccal
Cheek side of the arcade/tooth
Lingual
Tongue side of arcade/tooth
Occlusal
the biting surface of the tooth
Apical
the tip of the root of the tooth
Mesial
towards the midline in a dental arch
Distal (teeth)
away from the midline in a dental arch
Interdental
space between incisors and premalors in which the canines and wolf teeth lie
Diastema
gap between teeth
By what age would you expect a horse to have a full set of incisors?
5 years old
When will you use a closed angle rasp?
On the upper arcade
When will you use a straight flat rasp?
On the lower arcade
You perform a dental exam of a horse who is missing a tooth on its upper arcade. The corresponding tooth on the lower arcade is still present and had become overgrown/dominant. You have rasped in down appropriately. When might you need to revisit the horse? Does this differ from the normal frequency of dental exams?
May need to revisit in 3 months rather than 6
When do you see hooks?
With poor conformation e.g. parrot mouth, sow mouth
If you find hooks at the front, check at the back
