Dentistry Flashcards
What type of teeth do horses have? Describe the characteristics.
Hypsodont - long crowned, enamel folding, constant eruption, outer layer is cementum
What system do we use in equine dentistry?
Modified triadan system
Top Right - 100s
Top Left - 200s
Bottom Left - 300s
Bottom Right - 400s
How many teeth does a horse have?
Between 36 and 44 depending on if they have canines and wolf teeth.
What factors contribute to dental age?
Physical horse age
Diet
Conformation
Dental care
Genetics
When do the deciduous teeth erupt?
Birth - deciduous premolars
6 days old - deciduous central incisors
6 weeks old - deciduous 2nd incisors
6 months old - deciduous 3rd incisors
At what age do the first, second, and third molars erupt in a horse?
1st molars - yearling (4 cheek teeth)
2nd molars - 2yo
3rd molars - 3.5-4 yo
What are rudimentary teeth? Give examples.
= teeth that do not assume normal maturity and shape
E.g. unerupted deciduous canines, unerupted canines, wolf teeth, blind wolf teeth, lower wolf teeth
Which number on the modified triadan system are the wolf teeth?
105, 205, 305, 405
An owner of a 2 year old horse calls you and tells you they think their horse has chipped its central incisors. What is the most likely cause?
Caps have come off - this is perfectly normal for a healthy 2.5 year old horse
What are some things we can look for to help age a horse?
Infundibulum
Upper 03s - if same width and length then horse is around 10yo, if its longer than it is wide then likely older + vice versa
Galvayne’s groove
Angulation of the incisors - will be more pointed in older horses
On which surfaces are you most likely to get sharp edges and why?
Top arcade buccal surface + bottom arcade lingual surface
The top arcade is wider than the bottom arcade
What sort of owner concerns warrants a dental examination?
Weight loss
Colic
Choke
Performance behavioural problems
Head shaking
Pre-purchase examination
Lameness - could be bit related
List 6 differentials for weight loss.
Nutrition
Dental issues
Sand accumulation
Parasitism
Chronic pain
Internal disease
Chronic infection
Wind-sucking
Timid in herd
Age
What are expected the clinical signs of dental disease?
None - they are prey animals
Dropping feed
Poor performance
Packing feed in cheeks
Abnormal chewing pattern
Moving jaw and tongue abnormally
Abnormal smell
Excessive salivation
What sort of equipment and materials do you need when doing equine dentistry?
Quiet, shaded area
Full mouth speculum/dental gag
Strong light source - head lamp or gag lamp
Quality instruments - mirror, dental float, portable x-ray
Sedation - love a good xylazine-dorm mix
Head halter
Head stand or a sling
