Normal Tooth Anatomy

Hypsodont Teeth

Hypsodont - Referring to high or deep crown

• Hypsodont teeth continuously erupt throughout a horses life until there is no more reserve crown to erupt.

• Horses grind & wear their teeth about 2-3 mm every year

Clinical Crown

Clinical Crown- The portion of the tooth that is exposed and in wear

• Also called the “Visible Crown”

Reserve Crown

Reserve Crown - The unerupted portion of the tooth

• This is the part of the Crown you cannot see

Eruption

No new material is created in this process

• Horses are born with all the tooth they will ever have and as it’s worn, the reserve tooth erupts

4 Parts of Tooth Composition

1. Cementum

2. Enamel

3. Dentin

4. Pulp/Pulp Chamber

Cementum

A cream colored, chalky substance that is the SOFTEST element of the tooth

• Cementum envelopes the whole crown of the tooth on the outside of the cheek teeth

Enamel

The HARDEST substance in the body, but is brittle and can chip. It’s extremely resistant to friction on the occlusal surface.

• Enamel envelopes the entire crown of the incisors

Dentin

The majority of the tooth is Dentin, it’s softer than Enamel, but less fragile.

• Dentin is continuously produced in the adult tooth

Pulp/Pulp Chamber

The living portion of the tooth that contains nerves, and the blood supply of the tooth.

• The Pulp/Pulp Chamber will be filled with Dentin as the tooth erupts

Infundibulum & Cup

Infundibulum - Enamel infoldings at the center of the incisors and the cheek teeth

Cup - The specific infundibulum of the incisors

2 Characteristics of Incisor Anatomy

1. Dental Mark

2. Dental Star

Dental Mark

The remnant of the cup in the incisors

• Located lingual to the star

• As the horse ages, the Dental Mark disappears and the Dental Star becomes more apparent

Dental Star

The remnant of the Pulp Chamber in the incisors

• The Dental Star is filled in with Dentin as the tooth is worn and erupts

• The Dental Star will change shape as the horse ages

Deciduous Teeth/Caps/Baby Teeth

Horses have baby teeth that erupt 1st and as the horse ages, the permanent teeth push the baby teeth out of place.

• Identifying the Deciduous Teeth is the primary way that young horses are aged

Exfoliation

Exfoliation - The shedding of the Deciduous Teeth