Dental Services

Maintenance of even, well-opposed rows of teeth (i.e., oral balance or equilibrium) is important for the long-term function and efficiency of chewing in the horse. Abnormal eruption and/or wear of teeth lead to abnormal contact of opposing upper and lower teeth, more commonly referred to as malocclusion.

When malocclusions develop, selective pressure on specific teeth can cause gaps to form between teeth (diastemata) resulting in feed material packing in the gap. Food then ferments and promotes infection of the periodontium (i.e. periodontal disease).

One important goal of dentistry practiced at our hospital is to preserve and/or restore oral balance. We use specialized water-cooled power equipment to treat horses with malocclusions and other dental problems.

In some instances, it is not possible to save a diseased tooth, and extraction of the tooth is necessary. Extraction can be performed via either the mouth (intra-oral extraction) or repulsion through an outside approach. Whenever possible, we perform intra-oral extraction because this technique is the least traumatic, allowing most horses to return to function quickly.

In some cases, sinus infection develops secondary to dental disease and needs to be treated at the same time as the infected tooth. Depending on the dental problem, sinus surgery can be performed with the horse sedated and standing or under general anesthesia.