Equine dentistry Flashcards
Normal anatomy
incisors
canines
wolf teeth (vestigial 1st premolar)
cheek teeth
equine adaptions
interdental space
limited rostrocaudal movement of temporomandibular space (TMJ)
increased lateral movement of TMJ
TMJ allows occlusal contact of all cheek teeth simultaneously
well developed masticatory musculature
adapted for constant grinding - hypsodont, irregular enamel edges
mastication
opening, closing, power strokes
tongue moves food around mouth
Triadan system of dental nomenclature*
1/2/3/401-11 from right to left, top to bottom
ages of eruption of equine teeth*
see table in notes
molars later than incisors
development of cheek tooth
maxillary wider than mandibular arcade
occlusal surface at 10-15 degrees
normal cheek teeth anatomy*
cementum - attaches to periodontal ligament
dentine - bulk of tooth, tubular structure
enamel - hardest tissue, laminated sheets
pulp - blood + nerve supply to tooth
infundibulum - infolding of enamel from occlusal surface
dental exam
distant observation
external exam - condition score
head exam - symmetry, LNs, discharge, pain
oral exam - incisors malocclusion, interdental space, cheek teeth
oral exam
restraint
head support
illumination
additional diagnostic aids
mirror probes/picks oral endoscopy radiography scintigraphy
effect of enamel overgrowth
prevent jaws from moving freely cause pain, quidding + weight loss biting problems headshaking shear mouth
Shear mouth
occur over long time
mouth may remodel to compensate
Shear mouth - treatment
reduce buccal and lingual points
reduce angle
regular treatments every 3-6 months
address any underlying pathology
rasping blades
carbide chip - cheap
solid tungsten carbide blades - better
routine rasping - 4 types
straight head, long length
obtuse angled head, long length
angled offset head, medium length
5 float
power tools
remove hooks quickly
care palatine artery
Retained deciduous premolars (‘caps’)
shed at 2.5, 3 + 4 years
if retained - anorexia, poor performance, malocclusion
rostral + caudal overgrowths
106, 206, 311, 411
usually with rostral displacement of maxillary arcade
focal overgrowth - causes
diastema
displaced teeth
lost teeth
fractured teeth
removal of overgrowths
care - pulp exposure, heat production
overgrowth have less occlusal contact, less secondary dentine, therefore increased risk of pulp exposure
pulp exposure
identify by probing 2ndary dentine overlying pulp horns
can be a cause + consequence of apical tooth infections
can be from over rasping
infundibular caries
can lead to septic pulpitis
80% of horses > 15 yrs old are affected
usually benign
can cause sagittal fracture of the tooth
peridontal disease
primary is rare - caused by diastemata
v.painful
increased incidence with age
begins with gingivitis with a pocket formation - debris get stuck and bacteria build up
diastemata
often normal in aged horses
food trapped between teeth + compacted
diastemata - treatment
monitor, widen, extraction
more short foods
removal of impacted food
long handled dental
high pressure water or air picks
transient improvement only
displaced cheek teeth - developmental
overcrowded arcades during eruption
often bilateral
displaced cheek teeth - acquired
more common
usually lower 10s and 11s
cheek teeth fractures
can be secondary to severe infundibulur caries
can lead to septic pulpitis
can cause acquired overgrowths
mandibular apical tooth infections
most common in young horses
asymmetrical jaw swelling
oral involvement
diagnosis easy with radiography
Maxillary apical tooth infections - aetiology
infundibular caries
pulp exposure - premature or after fracture
periodontal fistulation
oral endoscopy
close up of back of mouth
rigid or fibre optic scope
expensive
dental radiography
low sensitivity, high specificity
gamma scintigraphy
shows mineralised and non-mineralised tissue
sensitive but only mild specificity
non invasive
images whole head simultaneously
computed tomography (CT)
rotating x-ray tube
advantages - windowing
radiographic signs - apical tooth root infections
periapical sclerosis
periapical halo
apical tooth infections - treatment
antibiotics
currettage (surgical instrument)
tooth removal
oral extraction procedure
sedation local blocks separation placement grip patience
wolf teeth
no deciduous precursors
erupt at 1 year of age
many lost
can be displaced
wolf teeth - extraction
can involve extensive elevation of tooth
can cause injury if inexperienced
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