Equine dental exam

Question 1

what are the steps to an equine dental exam?

Answer 1

Step 1: Sedation
◦ may be an alpha 2 or combination - IV

step 2 - incisor exam
* Alignment
* Missing teeth
* Diastema - gaps
* Impacted food
* fractures

Step 3: placing the gag
* Ensure the incisors are against the front of the mouth piece
* Open the mouth gradually, one side at a time

Step 4: rinse the mouth

Step 5: thorough oral examination
Use gloves, head torch and mirror
* You may wish to use a head stand for the rest of the procedure
* Note any pathology on a dental chart

Step 6: release the gag
* Remove the head from the head stand
* Close the mouth by nipping both handles

Question 2

what are you looking for when examining the oral cavity during a dental exam?

Answer 2

◦ Mucosal inflammation or ulceration
◦ Sharp enamel points on cheek teeth
◦ Alignment of upper and lower arcades
◦ Infundibular and Peripheral Caries
◦ Diastamata
◦ Missing teeth
◦ Fractures

Question 3

how can horses be aged?

Answer 3

• can use the teeth but largely inaccurate esp in older horses
• Eruption times most accurate method
• Shape of corner incisor
  * < 10y wider than long
  * ~ 10y square
  * > 10y longer than wide

Question 4

when do the adult incisors erupt in horses?

Answer 4

01 - 2.5y
02 - 3.5y
03 - 4.5y

Question 5

when do the adult canines erupt in horses?

Answer 5

04 - 4-5y
05 6-18 months

Question 6

when do the adult premolars erupt in horses?

Answer 6

06 - 2(.5)y
07 - 3y
08 - 4y

Question 7

when do the adult molars erupt in horses?

Answer 7

09 - 1y
10 - 2y
11 - 3(.5)y