Equine Dental Surgery

Question 1

Are foals born with premolars?

Answer 1

Yes. Yes they are.

Question 2

What are these?

Answer 2

enamel points

Enamel points are at the buccal side of maxillary teeth and the lingual side of mandibular teeth

Question 3

What is the arrow pointing to?

Answer 3

ramp

Question 4

Enamel points are at the __________ side of maxillary teeth and the __________ side of mandibular teeth

Answer 4

Enamel points are at the buccal side of maxillary teeth and the lingual side of mandibular teeth

Question 5

When is the 2^nd premolar replaced?

Answer 5

2 years

• 2^nd premolar replaced at 2 years
• 3^rd premolar replaced at 3 years
• 4^th premolar replaced at 4 years

Question 6

Identify the abnormality in this horse:

Answer 6

diastema

A space between teeth in the same dental arch​

Question 7

What is the arrow pointing to?

Answer 7

hook

Question 8

Identify this instrument:

Answer 8

Molar forceps

Question 9

What is the treatment for a dentigerous cyst?

Answer 9

complete surgical excision of dental remnant​

Question 10

What does this picture represent?

Answer 10

Curve of Spee

The natural slope of the equine dentition

Question 11

What are bit seats and what is the purpose?

Answer 11

Rounding of PM2 so that if the tongue gets stuck between the teeth and bit it can slip out

Question 12

Identify the abnormality in this horse:

Answer 12

Sheer mouth

• Complete atrophy of masseter mm.
• An extreme form of enamel points - teeth now like scissors
• Cannot correct all at one time. Treatment can take months to years and wait a couple weks or so between treatments

Question 13

What is the benefit of using plaster of paris instead of PMMA?

Answer 13

PMMA has to be removed, plaster of paris will dissolve on its own

Question 14

Identify this instrument:

Answer 14

Tooth cutter

Question 15

This 3-year old gelding presented with swelling near the cheek teeth and what looks like bumps/lumps along mandible. What’s his deal?

Answer 15

Retained premolar caps

• Permanent teeth get backed up - baby teeth are still on top of permanent, blocking proper eruption
• To fix it, you literally just use a screwdriver and pop the caps off
• Takes a couple weeks for the bumps to disappear

Question 16

Are foals born with molars?

Answer 16

No.

Question 17

The tooth structure of the dentigerous cysts most often resembles that of

• Molars
• Incisors
• Premolars
• Canine teeth
• Wolf tooth

Answer 17

Molars​

Question 18

Which of the following statements concerning diagnostic evaluation of dental disease in horses is false?

• careful examination of the incisors and second and third premolars accurately reflects changes to the more caudal teeth
• oral specula may facilitate oral examination, but extreme caution should be used to avoid injuring the patient or veterinarian
• diagnostic radiography may be taken in the field using standing sedation and standard veterinary radiographic equipment
• greater detail of individual tooth roots may be obtained from interior occlusal dental films

Answer 18

careful examination of the incisors and second and third premolars accurately reflects changes to the more caudal teeth​

Question 19

In equine teeth, how many mm are worn away from the cups each year?

Answer 19

2mm

Question 20

Identify the abnormality in this horse:

Answer 20

Wave mouth

Question 21

When are the molars replaced?

Answer 21

They aren’t.

Question 22

When is the first incisor replaced?

Answer 22

2.5 years

• 1^st incisor replaced at 2 ½
• 2^nd incisor replaced at 3 ½
• 3^rd incisor replaced at 4 ½

Question 23

The procedure to remove the enamel points is called:

Answer 23

floating

Before floating, be sure to visualize and palpate the teeth

Question 24

When removing cheek teeth, general anesthesia is needed If you are unable to get the tooth out after ______ minutes

Answer 24

20 minutes

Question 25

Identify this instrument:

Answer 25

**Speculum**

Question 26

What procedure is being performed here?

Answer 26

**Creating bit seats** ## Footnote *Make second premolar a little smoother to trap the bit/bevel the second premolar to prevent pinching of the mucosa (make a smooth divot in the body of the 2^nd premolar)*

Question 27

Identify this instrument:

Answer 27

**Swale's mouth gag**

Question 28

This horse presented with recurrent draining and swelling in the area at the base of the ear. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 28

**Dentigerous cyst** * *Congenital anomaly* * *Dental remnants - Contains dental elements* * *Tx: complete surgical excision of dental remnant*

Question 29

Which of the following statements concerning abnormalities of the occlusal surfaces of equine teeth is false? * Sharp enamel edges normally develop along the buccal aspect of the lower arcade and the lingual aspect of the upper arcade as a result of normal mastication. * Shear mouth, as excessive \* of the labia surfaces of the teeth, is most common in older horses * Dental extraction results in marked variation in the height of individual teeth (step mouth). * A lack of transverse ridges on the labia surfacing of the teeth (smooth mouth) is commonly a disease of older horses and may be influenced by diet and environment. * None of the above

Answer 29

**Sharp enamel edges normally develop along the buccal aspect of the lower arcade and the lingual aspect of the upper arcade as a result of normal mastication**

Question 30

Identify this piece of equipment:

Answer 30

**Haussmann mouth gag​**

Question 31

How deep are the cups in the teeth?

Answer 31

**6mm**

Question 32

Identify the abnormality in this horse:

Answer 32

**He appears to no longer be alive** *Also, wave mouth and ramps*

Question 33

Identify this instrument:

Answer 33

**Trephine**

Question 34

What are the landmarks for trephination into the maxillary sinus?

Answer 34

**Half way on an imaginary line from the cranial edge of the facial crest to the medial canthus of the eye. Drill ~1 cm above that line**

Question 35

Are foals born with incisors?

Answer 35

**Nay.** ## Footnote * Horse jokes.* * 1^st incisor appears at 6 days, 2^nd incisor appears at 6 weeks, 3^rd incisor appears at 6 months*