Dental Anatomy - Exam 3

What are the two major sections of equine teeth?

1. incisors

2. cheek teeth

What makes up the cheek teeth?

premolars and molars

What is another name for premolars and molars?

dental arcade

What type of teeth do horses have?

hypsodont teeth

What does it mean when an animal has hypsodont teeth?

they continuously erupt

How long do the teeth erupt for?

until the horse is 7 years old

How much do the teeth erupt per year?

3 mm

How much are the teeth ground down per year?

2.5 mm

What are deciduous teeth?

baby/milk teeth

How many deciduous teeth does a horse have?

24

How many permanent teeth does a horse have?

36-44 (avg. 40)

Why is there a range of permanent teeth that a horse can have?

some horses have wolf and canine teeth

Where can wolf teeth be found?

on the top and bottom but most likely the top

Where can canine teeth be found?

on the top and bottom

What set of numbers represents the right upper part of the horse's mouth?

100s

What set of numbers represents the left upper part of the horse's mouth?

200s

What do the 100s and 200s make up?

the maxillary arcades

What set of numbers represents the left lower part of the horse's mouth?

300s

What set of numbers represents the right lower part of the horse's mouth?

400s

What do the 300s and 400s make up?

the mandibular arcades

When should the deciduous teeth erupt? (3)

1. 1st incisors (centrals): 6 days

2. 2nd incisors (intermediates): 6 weeks

3. 3rd incisors (corners): 6 months

Incisors erupt in ___.

pairs

Which incisors do you look at to determine age?

the corner incisors

What percent of horses have wolf teeth?

13-32%

Why are wold teeth commonly removed?

because they interfere with using a bit and floating the teeth

What is another name for canine teeth?

tusks

What are canine teeth more common on?

stallions and geldings

How many canines can a horse have?

4

What percent of mares have canine teeth?

28%

What is one issue with canines?

they can get a good bit of tartar on them

Are you supposed to brush a horse's teeth?

no

What is the surface of the tooth called that faces the front?

mesial

What is the surface of the tooth called that faces the back?

distal

What is the surface of the tooth called that faces the cheek?

buccal

What is the surface of the upper teeth called that faces the pallet?

palatal

What is the surface of the lower teeth called that faces the tongue?

lingual

What do horses need enamel ridges for?

to grind forages and other feed

Is the mandible or maxilla more narrow?

the mandible

What does the different in width of the mandible and maxilla lead to?

a sweeping, circular chew motion

What is the infundibulum of the tooth?

the dental cup

How is the dental cup usually used?

as a reference point of rage (wear of the cups)

What is the difference between the infundibulums (dental cups)on the upper and lower teeth?

the upper tooth cups are deeper and do not wear as fast

What is the cement layer of the tooth?

the outermost layer

What percent mineralized is the cement layer?

65%

What is the enamel?

the hardest surface of the tooth

What does enamel form?

ridges

What percent mineralized is enamel?

96-98%

Does enamel have the capacity to heal itself?

no

What makes up the bulk of the tooth?

dentin

What is another name for dentin?

ivory

What percent mineralized is dentin?

70%

What does dentin contribute to?

the rough occlusal surface

What is the pulp?

a soft and sensitive part of the tooth that houses vital structures

What structures does the pulp house? (2)

1. the heart and brain of the tooth

2. nerves, vessels, and lymph

On average, how many pulp horns does a horse have in its mouth?

140

What happens as the tooth gets worn down?

the pulp gets more visible and creates the dental star

What is bishoping?

altering the horse's teeth to make it look younger

What are the two different types of equipment used to float a horse's teeth?

1. hand float

2. power float

What is another name for floating teeth?

occlusal equilibriation

What is occlusal equilibriation?

taking off sharp enamel points and balancing out the horse's teeth

Why do feral horses not need their mouths floated like domestic horses?

they eat a larger variety of plants that help wear down the teeth

What about domestic horses' diets make them need more dental attention? (2)

1. they eat lush grass

2. they eat grain which is softer and doesn't naturally grind teeth

What are five signs that show dental attention is needed?

1. dysphagia - trouble swallowing

2. dropping feed

3. bitting issues

4. riding issues

5. weight loss

How often should teeth be checked and possibly worked on in mature horses?

at least once a year

How often should teeth be checked and possibly worked on in young horses?

every 6 months

When does the Galvayne's groove start appearing?

10 years of age

When is the Galvayne's groove halfway down?

15 years of age

When is the Galvayne's groove fully down the tooth?

20 years of age

When is the Galvayne's group completely gone?

30 years of age

Which tooth does the Galvayne's groove occur on?

the corner tooth/incisor

What is the dental milestone at 5 years old?

full mouth (all permanent teeth)

What is the dental milestone at 7 years old?

7-year hook

What is the dental milestone for 10 years old?

appearance of the Galvayne's groove

What is the dental milestone for 11 years old?

smooth mouth (the disappearance of all cups)

What is the most common dental issue in horses?

enamel points

What are seven common dental abnormalities?

1. enamel points

2. hooks

3. step

4. wave

5. shear

6. tartar

7. retained baby teeth

What are six common incisor abnormalities?

1. normal

2. smile

3. slant

4. tall

5. irregular

6. frown

What two other dental issues that we many see in horses?

overbite and underbite

What is the issue with overbites and underbites?

they can be passed on through genetics

What is equine odontoclatic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH)?

a gradual onset inflammatory response

What is the etiology behind EOTRH? (3)

1. immune-mediated

2. increased occlusal force

3. Treponema and tanenerella sp.

Where does EOTRH most often occur?

incisors and canines

What age horses is EOTRH most common in?

> 15 years of age