Equine Dentistry Equine Dentistry Educating horse owners about the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Equine Dentistry Equine Dentistry Educating horse owners about the Educating horse owners about the importance of proper equine dental care importance of proper equine dental care

The Basics About Horse Anatomy The Basics About Horse Anatomy Important Facts You Should Know Important Facts You Should Know From Ancient to From Ancient to Modern Horse Modern Horse Complex Oral Complex Oral Anatomy Anatomy Equine Chewing Equine Chewing Cycle Cycle Important Age- - Important Age Related Facts Related Facts

From Ancient to Modern Horse From Ancient to Modern Horse Horses were forest animals Horses were forest animals � 55 million years ago (Eohippus-the dawn horse) � Small (50 lbs) � Short, square brachydont teeth � Diet of succulent forage � Five toes

From Ancient to Modern Horse From Ancient to Modern Horse Evolved/adapted to live on grasslands Evolved/adapted to live on grasslands � Began in North America � 32 extinct genera � 150 species of fossil horses � 4.5 million years ago, now a single toe � Reintroduced to North America 16 th century

From Ancient to Modern Horse From Ancient to Modern Horse 18m year old fossil of Modern skull of a 18m year old fossil of Modern skull of a a three- -toed horse toed horse draft horse a three draft horse

Complex Oral Anatomy Complex Oral Anatomy � Change was forced by increasingly abrasive foodstuffs. � Short, square teeth became Hypsodont- long crowned teeth. � Toes were lost, horses became larger, faces became longer, all cheek teeth became molar-like. � Mandibles changed and added muscle.

Complex Oral Anatomy Complex Oral Anatomy � The modern equine tooth is made of three tissues: � Cementum, dentine and enamel � Allows it to be self-sharpening � Each arcade has: � Three incisors � May have one canine � May have one vestigial pre-molar (wolf tooth) � Three premolars, three molars

Equine Chewing Cycle Equine Chewing Cycle � Horses move their jaws in three dimensions during function: � Side to side Side to side � � Forward to back Forward to back � � Obliquely during the Obliquely during the “ “power stroke power stroke” ” � � All are important to correct function All are important to correct function � � Chewing cycle occurs 11 times in 10 seconds. � The life of equine teeth is maximized when the forces of mastication are evenly distributed along the whole arcade.

Equine Chewing Cycle Equine Chewing Cycle Incisors harvest forage. � Horses have top and bottom � incisors that allow harvesting of most nutritious grass. Tongue and ridges in roof of � mouth move feed back between cheek teeth (premolars and molars) which act as a single grinding unit. Canines are fighting teeth, found � Draft Horse skull shown with Draft Horse skull shown with in all males and some mares. Tridian numbering system numbering system Tridian Wolf teeth apparently do � nothing.

Equine Chewing Cycle Equine Chewing Cycle � If horses spends their life on pasture, the whole arcade is used. � The mastication force is spread evenly. � The oblique motion of the jaw is maximized. � Teeth tend to wear more evenly. � In general, less malocclusions occur.

Equine Chewing Cycle Equine Chewing Cycle • Horses who have minimal pasture have greater up and down movement • Mastication force is more crushing than grinding • The mastication occurs more in the rear portion of the mouth • In general, more malocclusions and sharp points

Eruption Times of Equine Teeth Eruption Times of Equine Teeth � At birth, a horse’s face cannot accommodate full complement of teeth. � Three deciduous incisors erupt starting from the center at seven days, seven weeks and seven months. � All 12 deciduous premolars are present at birth or erupt soon after. � Molars do not have a deciduous precursor. � Molars erupt at year 1, 2, and 3.5 years.

Eruption Times of Equine Teeth Eruption Times of Equine Teeth Permanent incisors (center � to corner) replace their deciduous precursors at: 2 years 6 months 2 years 6 months � � 3 years 6 months 3 years 6 months � � 4 years 6 months 4 years 6 months � � Deciduous premolars are � replaced at: 2 years 6 months 2 years 6 months � � 2 years 8 months 2 years 8 months � � 3 years 8 months 3 years 8 months � �

Eruption Times of Equine Teeth Eruption Times of Equine Teeth • In the space of 24 months, 24 deciduous teeth are replaced by their permanent counterparts. • This is a time when scrutiny of the horse’s mouth is important.

Eruption Times of Equine Teeth Eruption Times of Equine Teeth • Canines (fighting teeth) usually erupt at 4 – 6 years in males. They are often absent or rudimentary in mares. • Wolf teeth (vestigial 1 st premolars) usually erupt at 6-12 months of age. • Neither of these teeth serve a purpose in mastication.

Why Horses Need Dental Care Why Horses Need Dental Care Goals of Proper Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care Equine Dental Care What about the What about the Wild horse? Wild horse? Elements of the Elements of the Dental Exam Dental Exam

Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care • A thorough examination is necessary to ensure any abnormality or acquired disease process is recognized • Optimize function of the Equine stomatognathic system by: • Removing excessive • Removing excessive masticatory masticatory forces on forces on individual teeth due to malocclusions individual teeth due to malocclusions • Preserving tooth structure by equilibrating Preserving tooth structure by equilibrating • eruption eruption • Preventing periodontal disease Preventing periodontal disease • • Alleviate pain • Address oral issues that prevent horses of any age or type from functioning at an optimum level

Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care Goals of Proper Equine Dental Care • Making dentistry a regular element of a horses care: • Prevents early Prevents early • problems from problems from becoming lifelong becoming lifelong • Finds hidden, very Finds hidden, very • painful problems, painful problems, therefore alleviating therefore alleviating suffering suffering • Allows horses to Allows horses to • keep functional keep functional teeth for their entire teeth for their entire life life

What about the wild horse? What about the wild horse? • The wild horse spends up to 17 hours per day grazing. • The wild horse eats no prepared food. • The wild horse wears no tack. • The wild horse is not asked to perform intricate tasks. • The wild horse sometimes became thin and became prey!

Elements of the Dental Exam Elements of the Dental Exam • Treating the whole horse • Correct Equipment • Access to Additional Diagnostics

Elements of the Dental Exam Elements of the Dental Exam • The most important component is interest, desire and education. • The mouth is only a part of the whole horse. • Examination begins with a general exam and evaluation of the whole horse. • It is not unusual to find other significant health issues. “4% of horses examined don 4% of horses examined don’ ’t get dentistry that day, t get dentistry that day,” ” says Bob Gregory, DVM says Bob Gregory, DVM “

Elements of the Dental Exam Elements of the Dental Exam • History • Physical exam • Sedation • Full mouth speculum • Bright light source • Correct equipment (mirror, cheek retractor, picks, etc) • Access to additional diagnostics (lab, x-ray equipment and MRI)

Dental Care for the Life of the Horse Dental Care for the Life of the Horse Popular Myths Popular Myths The Facts The Facts Young Horses Young Horses Wolf Teeth, Caps Wolf Teeth, Caps and Bit Seats and Bit Seats The Mature Horse The Mature Horse The Geriatric Horse The Geriatric Horse

Popular Myths about Dental Care Popular Myths about Dental Care “Young horses don’t need dental care.” “Wild horses don’t get dental care so mine doesn’t need it.” “Horses only need dental care every few years.” “I am able to tell when my horse needs dental care.”

The Facts about Proper Dental Care The Facts about Proper Dental Care All ages benefit from regular dental exams! All ages benefit from regular dental exams! At birth to two years: Evaluate to determine if everything developed correctly. 2-5 years: Evaluate to determine if all permanent teeth erupted as they should. 5-20 years: Regular checkups to make sure no disease or injury threatens the health of the horse. Geriatrics: Evaluate to make sure the horse can eat properly, if the horse is in pain and to answer questions on feeding a geriatric horse.

Dental Care for Young Horses Dental Care for Young Horses • From two to four years, 24 deciduous teeth are exchanged for 24 permanent teeth. • Intervention in this period can prevent major malocclusions later in life. • Tooth eruption often occurs at exactly the same time you are first putting a bit in your horse’s mouth.