Routine Care
Routine Care
Routine care includes a physical and oral exam followed by a treatment plan with adjustments
Physical exam:
A brief physical exam is performed to determine the overall health of your horse. Besides listening to the heart and taking basic vitals, the body condition and overall demeanor is noted. The horse’s head is then examined more closely- noting any structural or muscular asymmetries, swelling or enlargements. If the horse is having difficulty eating, then it will be watched chewing hay or a treat. All these factors help to assess if there is a potential dental concern and how the horse will handle the procedure.
Oral exam:
If the horse appears to be healthy with no concerns that need to be addressed first, the horse is sedated and then walked into the stocks. An exam of the horse’s dental occlusion and excursion is evaluated with the mouth closed. With the mouth closed, a better assessment of how the teeth contact to grind food can be made. A speculum is then placed to open the mouth for a more thorough exam of the soft tissue structures and dentition. Soft tissue structures include the tongue, soft and hard palate, gingiva and mucosal lining of the cheeks. Any abnormality or injury to the soft tissue structures is an indication of how the horse is chewing and any dental issues. Next, the dentition is examined as a whole and then the individual teeth as the dental progresses.
Treatment:
After the initial assessment, precise corrections are made to individual teeth to improve the functionality and comfort of the mouth. These corrections address the occlusal surfaces when needed and the sharp enamel points that develop along the cheeks and tongue. The term “float” is a common layman’s term to describe the basic act of smoothing the sharp points from the horse’s teeth. Horse’s teeth continuously erupt into the mouth as they are worn down by the rough forage that they consume. Since horses chew in a circular motion and have specific dental anatomy, they are prone to forming sharp enamel points that can cause discomfort. Besides these sharp points, horses will also develop malocclusions that do not allow them to move their teeth freely for proper mastication of feed. Malocclusions can develop for many reasons but all lead to poor dental health eventually. Treatment or management of malocclusions is referred to as occlusal adjustments, equilibration, or odontoplasty by veterinarians that specialize in equine dentistry.
I use a combination of motorized and hand tools to best address your horse's needs. My broad selection of instruments allows me pin point accuracy. I can address each portion of a tooth individually as I work to make the whole mouth a smoothly functioning unit.
Before Dental Care
Sharp enamel points and a rostral hook were evident on initial oral exam. This horse had limited motion of its jaw from side to side.
After Dental Care
A picture of the same horse after dental care was provided, allowing for better function and comfort of the mouth.
