Routine Equine Dentistry

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All routine dentals include a brief physical examination to ensure horses are healthy and that there are no physical reasons for not proceeding with equine dental exams. Once the physical is completed, the following is all part of our routine equine dentistry : 

• External examination of your horse’s head. This includes palpating lymph nodes, salivary glands, all bony structures,TMJs, the muscles of chewing (masseter, temporalis), and checking for asymmetry (how even is your horse from side-to-side). A brief check on the occlusion of the incisors (front teeth) and check for any pain associated with these teeth. 
• Next, your horse is sedated. We sedate your horse so that we can thoroughly inspect the entire oral cavity and all of their teeth during our equine dental exams.
• An oral exam with a dental mirror and/or an oral camera. These tools are used to check the following: 
  • Oral soft tissue, including the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
  • The occlusion of the teeth (this includes teeth that are out of alignment,hooks,missing teeth, overbites,underbites etc.)
  • The gingiva (gums) to assess the periodontal status.
  • The endodontic status of the teeth. 
• The equine dental exam's findings guide us as to what we need to do to help keep your horse’s mouth healthy. This typically involves what is commonly called floating/filing the teeth. The Veterinary term used for floating is odontoplasty or occlusal adjustment. Other procedures, like the treatment of periodontal disease, can also occur during this equine dentistry visit.