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| Equine Dentistry |
Introduction
Recommended dentistry programme
Thorough oral examination
Equipment
Advanced procedures
Cost
Introduction
Western Counties Equine Clinic offers a thorough and cost efficient dentistry service for all horses. One of our partners, Chris Johannson, is one of a very small number of veterinary surgeons to have taken and passed the examination for membership to the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT). Chris is now examining and lecturing in equine dentistry as well as providing a referral service for veterinary surgeons and equine dental technicians. All our other veterinary surgeons have an interest in equine dentistry and we ensure that we are all trained and well equipped to provide a thorough equine dentistry service. We can carry out dentistry either at your stables, often as part of an annual ‘check-up’ and vaccination programme, or at the clinic, which avoids a visit charge and makes use of the facilities available.
Horse undergoing dental treatment at our clinic using the motorized “Powerfloat”
Recommended dentistry programme
A regular program of dentistry is essential for all ages of horse. Regular oral examination and dentistry will allow the detection and removal of sharp enamel points that develop due to continued eruption of equine teeth. Regular examination will enable us to detect the early signs of abnormalities in the wear of cheek teeth, irregularities in eruption, decay and periodontal disease. We can also detect and correct problems with bitting, head carriage, performance and eating disorders.
We recommend a programme of oral examination that starts early in the horse’s life. Foals: Inspection of foals will allow us to check for abnormalities such as ‘parrot mouth’ and ‘wry nose’ and eruption disorders. Early examination may allow us to use advanced orthodontic procedures to correct some of these abnormalities
Yearlings / Two / Three / Four year olds: We recommend floating (rasping) of sharp enamel points prior to training. Oral examination will check for irregularities of eruption of the permanent dentition and will allow removal of retained temporary (deciduous) teeth should this be necessary. We recommend examination of this group every 6 months.
Five years onwards: Regular floating and examination of cheek teeth will maintain oral comfort and an optimal grinding surface to enable efficient use of food. We recommend examination of this group every 6 – 12 months.
Older horses: Regular attention is required in the older horse to maintain a healthy mouth for as long as possible. Older horses are more likely to develop periodontal disease and caries may have overgrowths of cheek teeth that may need attention. Regular examination is vital to prolong the life of the cheek teeth but we may not always float the teeth as excessive floating may reduce the lifespan of the teeth and hence the overall lifespan of the older horse. We recommend checks every 12 months with 6 monthly checks in cases that present with disease or overgrowths.
Thorough oral examination
The importance of a thorough oral examination, just as we would perform elsewhere on the horse, cannot be overstated. To allow us to detect an increasing number of previously undiagnosed problems all the vets at Western Counties Equine Clinic carry a range of equipment. This will include a full mouth speculum (gag) for safe examination of the mouth. We also carry a head torch, large syringe to flush the mouth and a dental mirror. All our veterinary surgeons are trained in the diagnosis of dental disease and should a horse be diagnosed with such disease follow up treatment can be performed at our purpose-built clinic.
Equipment
All our vets carry in their cars the following equipment for equine dentistry:
• a large range of rasps to access all areas of the mouth equipped with modern carbide blades
• full mouth speculum (gag) for safe and thorough oral examination
• stainless steel bucket
• large syringe to flush the mouth
• disinfectant
• head torch for good visualisation or oral disorders
• dental mirror
• ‘wolf tooth’ extraction equipment
• sedatives, local anaesthetics, tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics
At the clinic we have all the equipment required to treat dental disorders. This includes head stands, motorised equipment and burrs, picks to investigate areas of decay, probes to assess periodontal disease, high pressure flushing devices to flush pockets and diastemata. We also have a large range of veterinary diagnostic equipment and surgical facilities should this be required.
Advanced procedures
Oral examinations may reveal a range of disorders that we will be unable to correct without the use of more advanced equipment. Such disorders include:
• Wave mouth
• Shear mouth
• Step mouth
• Rostral and caudal hooks
• Periodontal disease
• Caries (decay)
• Diastema (gaps between teeth that accumulate food material)
• Genetic dental disorders
• Supernumary teeth
• Root abscessation
To allow investigation and treatment of these disorders we may require the horse to visit the clinic. Sedation and analgesics (pain killers) will be employed routinely in these situations and occasionally the horse may be required to stay at the clinic during treatment. For the most advanced procedures a general anaesthetic may be required.
This horse has developed a large dental overgrowths and severe cheek ulceration.
Cost
The average charge for a routine oral examination with rasping of sharp enamel points and maintaining good oral comfort is £30 plus VAT.
If we are required to travel to your stables there will be a visit charge. Additional charges are incurred if we are required to use medicines or if more extensive work is required. Group booking charges are available.
Currently many clients choose to attend the clinic where we can use our purpose built facilities without incurring a visit charge. |
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