Equine Dentistry Lecture 1

What are the three types of equine dentistry?

1. routine dentistry: equilibration, prevention

2. performance dentistry: for performance horses (not to improve performance)

3. curative dentistry: with clinical signs, typically advanced procedures

What are the goals of dental treatment?

• Eating: No pain, unrestricted motion

• Exercise: No oral distraction, especially with bit

• Extend the lifespan of teeth

What is the difference between routine and advanced dental care?

Routine: Treatment to maintain (or restore)

• form and function (prolong life span)

• often empirical

• unfortunately, no negative feedback

Advanced: Treatment of the dental disease

• surgical tx according to lesion

• to restore normal function

• obvious feedback

What is the treatment goal of 95% of abnormalities of wear?

• distribute pressure and wear evenly

• minimize wear

  • don’t work on more than two pairs

  • don’t reduce total grinding surface

  • don’t overdo bit seat

• minimize smoothening

  • only work on one arcade • leave opponent rough

What is the goal of floating routine cases (equilibration)?

• Correct what is wrong

• Maximize movement of jaw: Lateral, Rostro-caudal

• Maximize even wear

• Remove long tooth → To allow space for the opposite tooth to erupt

• Smoothen sharp areas → To correct what is painful

What is the advantage of a vet vs a lay-dentist?

vet: scientist, training in vet/med (can rule out other problems), scientific training - professional approach

lay-dentist: farm or horseback riding background, typically good horsemanship, familiar with horse industry, practical

What can lay dentists NOT do?

• No drugs, expecially DEA regulated: Butorphanol

• No Radiographs

• No referral

• Not licensed to practice in every state

• No insurance

• No loan payback...