Dentistry

Question 1

Deciduous dentition in a horse

Answer 1

[3/3, 0/0, 3/3, 0/0]x2=24

Question 2

Permanent dention in a horse

Answer 2

[3/3, (1)/(1/), 3(4)/3(4), 3/3] x 2 = 36-44

Question 3

What is the oldest cheek tooth? when does it erupt?

Answer 3

M1; erupts 9-12 months

Question 4

What is the youngest cheek tooth in a horse & when does it erupt?

Answer 4

PM4; erupts at 4 years

Question 5

What does hypsodont mean?

Answer 5

long crown, relatively short roots

Question 6

What does diphyodont mean?

Answer 6

have two sets of teeth-deciduous & permanent

Question 7

Modified Triadan numbering system

Answer 7

Question 8

What number are the first molars?

Answer 8

09

Question 9

What teeth are associated with the maxillary sinus?

Answer 9

Upper molars (109-111 & 209-211)

sometimes PM4 or 108/208 is associated with the rostral maxillary sinus

Question 10

What is the importance of recognizing the Curve of Spee?

Answer 10

need to know that there is a normal gradual curving upwards of the caudal horizontal mandible such that when looking in the mouth, the caudal cheek teeth appear to sit higher than the rostral cheek teeth and NOT to attempt to float down the caudal teeth to be even with the rostral ones because this can result in entering a pulp cavity

Question 11

Why can PM 4 become impacted during eruption?

Answer 11

PM4 erupts at 4 years of age; PM3 erupts at 3 and M1 erupts at 9-12 months, so PM4 hasto squeeze between its neighbors to erupt

Question 12

What is the normal slope of the occlusal table of the cheek teeth?

Answer 12

10-15 degrees

Question 13

What surface of the maxillary cheek teeth needs floated?

Answer 13

buccal

Question 14

What surface of the mandibular cheek teeth needs floated?

Answer 14

lingual

Question 15

How often should dental examinations be performed on adult horses?

Answer 15

Biannual

Question 16

What tools & supplies are needed for a dental examination?

Answer 16

• sedatives
• full mouth speculum
• light source (often a headlamp)
• dental mirror
• picks
• perioprobe

Question 17

What are some ancillary diagnostic aids used in equine dentistry?

Answer 17

• rads (lateral, DV, left and right oblique)
• endoscopy-upper airway
• sinoscopy-paranasal sinuses
• oral endoscopy
• CT
• bone scan

Question 18

A maximum of ____ of a tooth can be floated at one time to exposing pulp tissue

Answer 18

4mm

Question 19

How can points on teeth be detrimental to the horse?

Answer 19

ulcers/painful mastication->change in food processing->trapping of food around teeth->periodontal disease

Question 20

How long should you wait between floatings?

Answer 20

4-6 months

Question 21

What is a bit seat?

Answer 21

Filing a small arc in front of 06s (first cheek teeth) to stop pinching due to bit pressure

Question 22

Clinical signs of dental disease

Answer 22

• weight loss
• difficult/slow mastication
• quidding, excess salivation(rare), abnormal tongue movements, halitosis
• externally draining fistulas
• tilting head, especially when eating grain or pellets with affected side uppermost
• pain in response to cold water or when teeth floated
• bit & riding problems-head shaking
• reluctance to take the bit (in young horses consider wolf teeth, deciduous caps, hooks
• changes in behavior or performance
• external bony swelling
• buccal food impaction

Question 23

Proper term for “parrot mouth”

Answer 23

brachygnathism

Question 24

Proper term for “monkey mouth”

Answer 24

prognathism

Question 25

What are “eruption bumps”?

Answer 25

bilaterally symmetrical, firm swellings on the ventral mandible due to the expansile apex of developing/erupting permanent cheek teeth; apices of mandibular cheek teeth are closely associated ith mandibular cortex in young horse

not present after 5 years

Question 26

wear abnormalities of cheek teeth

Answer 26

• hooks & ramps
• wave
• step
• shear

Question 27

What is the most common equine dental disease?

Answer 27

Periodontal disease

Question 28

What age groups have increased incidence of periodontal disease?

Answer 28

• 2-5
• over 15

Question 29

pathogenesis of periodontal disease

Answer 29

marginal gigivitis with hyperemia/edema->gingival sulcus becomes eroded & pocket forms->food material is harbored->inflammation & erosion of gingival tissue & extension into periodontium->gross alveolar sepsis->tooth loss

Question 30

How do microbes access the tooth apex?

Answer 30

• periodontium
• tooth (decay, fracture, open pulp horn)
• blood stream (anachoresis)
• external trauma​