Equine dental disease

Question 1

Hypsodont dentition

Answer 1

Long crowned
Large amount of reserve crown below gumline
Continually erupt throughout life, not continually grow

Question 2

what types of teeth can be found in the equine mouth

Answer 2

incisors: specialized for prehension and cutting of food
canine: fighting
premolars: grinders for mastication
Molar: grinders for mastication

Question 3

what teeth are inconsistently present in mares

Answer 3

Canines: commonly absent in mares 
First premolars (wolf teeth)

Question 4

what teeth are present in the decidious teeth

Answer 4

Incisors and premolars

Question 5

When does the decidious teeth eruption occur

Answer 5

1st incisor - 6 days
2nd incisor - 6 weeks
3rd incisor - 6 months

3 x premolar present at birth or <14days

Question 6

when does the permanent incisor eruption occur

Answer 6

1st incisor - 2.5years
2nd incisor - 3.5 years
3rd incisor - 4.5

Question 7

explain the order of eruption for the Pm and molar

Answer 7

PM 1 - 6 month
PM 2- 2.5 year
PM 3- 3 years
PM 4- 4 years

M 1 - 1
M2 - 2
M3 - 3

Question 8

what are the clinical signs of equine dental disease

Answer 8

“quidding” - small boluses of partially masticated food failling from the mouth during chewing
food accumulation between teeth & cheeks
Restricted or abnormal jaw movements ==> prevention of normal mastication
Speed of mastication - slow
Dietary preference
Bit problems
weight loss
facial swellings
Chronic unilateral nasal discharge

Question 9

what is the main disorder seen in the incisor teeth

Answer 9

Brachygnathism
overjet - rostral projection of maxillary incisors beying mandibular incisors
Overbite- rostral and ventral projections of the upper incisors

Question 10

How to you treat bradynasthsism

Answer 10

require lifelong dental care - control incisors and cheek teeth overgrowth
overjet - orthodontic correction
overbite- orthodontic brace

Question 11

what are the main disorders seen in the canine teeth

Answer 11

Do not automatically oppose each other - calculus accumulates on lower canines
displaced or grossly enlarged canine teeth may interfere with bit placement - rasp during routine dental

Question 12

Disorders of the 1st premolar (wolf teeth)

Answer 12

usually innocuous but if enlarged or displaced, may cause oral pain due to bit contact
Extraction under local anesthestesia and sedation with elevtors or forceps - try to pull out tooth intact

Question 13

What are the Cs associated with a retained deciduous cheek teeth

Answer 13

short term oral discomfort, headshaking, quidding, resistance to the bit and occ loss of appetite

==> occurs at the time of the eruption of the permanent molars

Question 14

Common abornamalties of the PM and M

Answer 14

1. sharp enamels
2. Hooks
3. Ramps
4. wave mouth
5. Excessive transverse ridging
6. loss of tooth
7. fdiastema formation