7.1.1: Dental exam and routine dental procedures

Question 1

Describe normal equine dentition

Answer 1

• Horses have hypsodont (high crowned) teeth
• They are constantly eruptung
• Eruption is faster in younger than older horses

Question 2

The roots of which teeth are in the sinuses?

Answer 2

• Upper 08-11 are in the maxillary sinuses i.e. (108-111, and 208-211)

Question 3

Which sinus do the roots of 108 and 109, and 208 and 209, lie in?

Answer 3

The rostral maxillary sinus

Question 4

Which sinus do the roots of 110 and 111, and 210 and 211, lie in?

Answer 4

The caudal maxillary sinus

Question 5

The first premolar is the wolf tooth - what number does this have on the dental chart?

Answer 5

105/205

Question 6

True/false: the lower cheek teeth are slightly wider set than the upper cheek teeth and obviously angulated to provide a lateral grinding surface.

Answer 6

False.
The upper cheek teeth are the ones set wider. There is obvious angulation present.

Question 7

How can the shape of the corner incisor be used to age a horse?

Answer 7

• Corner incisor (203) changes shape according to age
• Less than 10 years old = wider than it is long
• Approx. 10 years old = square in shape
• Over 10 years old = longer than it is wide

Question 8

True/false: horses have deciduous teeth that drop out.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What is the most accurate way of ageing horses by their teeth?

Answer 9

Ageing horses by teeth is largely inaccurate but the best way to do this is by eruption times.

Question 10

What is quidding and what can it be a sign of?

Answer 10

Quidding: dropping feed when it tries to eat.
This can be a sign of dental problems.

Question 11

What are some generic signs of dental problems?

Answer 11

• Quidding
• Change in feeding habits
• Salivation
• Bitting/riding problems e.g. excessive head shaking
• Weight loss
• Asymmetry/swellings
• Halitosis
• Nasal discharge (3rd molar or further back is in the sinuses)
• Can see impaction colics if not chewing food properly

Question 12

True/false: wolf teeth always require removal.

Answer 12

False.
Upper wolf teeth shouldn’t interfere with the bit if they are in the normal position and tucked nicely next to the upper 6s.

Question 13

When should you remove wolf teeth?

Answer 13

If they are:
* Large
* Unerupted (blind) i.e. gum still covering them
* Abnormally positioned
* Lower
* Fractured/loose
* Present on one side only

Question 14

True/false: all horses have wolf teeth.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What do the black circles indicate?

Answer 15

Likely site for sharp enamel points to form

Question 16

Where are sharp points normally found?

Answer 16

• Buccal aspect of the maxillary teeth
• Lingual aspect of the mandibular teeth

Question 17

Why might sharp points form?

Answer 17

• Anisognathic anatomy
• Continual eruption of teeth
• Eruption rate exceeding wear (link to diet)

Question 18

Describe the pathology seen in this image

Answer 18

There are sharp points and ulcers associated with them

Question 19

Describe the steps to a dental exam

Answer 19

1. Sedate if required; some vets always sedate (alpha-2 agonist or combination)
2. Incisor exam: check for alignment, missing teeth, diastema, impacted food, fractures
3. Place the gag and open gradually, one side of the mouth at a time
4. Rinse the mouth out
5. Undertake thorough oral exam, checking for mucosal inflammation, ulceration, sharp enamel points, alignment of upper and lower arcades, infundibular and peripheral caries, diastemata, missing teeth, fractures. Note any pathology on a dental chart.

Question 20

What should you assess in a dental exam?

Answer 20

• Mucosal inflammation/ulceration
• Sharp enamel points on the cheek teeth
• Alignment of upper and lowe arcades
• Infundibular and peripheral caries
• Diastemata
• Missing teeth
• Fractures

Question 21

Buccal

Answer 21

Cheek side of the arcade/tooth

Question 22

Lingual

Answer 22

Tongue side of arcade/tooth

Question 23

Occlusal

Answer 23

the biting surface of the tooth

Question 24

Apical

Answer 24

the tip of the root of the tooth

Question 25

Mesial

Answer 25

towards the midline in a dental arch

Question 26

Distal (teeth)

Answer 26

away from the midline in a dental arch

Question 27

Interdental

Answer 27

space between incisors and premalors in which the canines and wolf teeth lie

Question 28

Diastema

Answer 28

gap between teeth

Question 29

By what age would you expect a horse to have a full set of incisors?

Answer 29

5 years old

Question 30

When will you use a closed angle rasp?

Answer 30

On the upper arcade

Question 31

When will you use a straight flat rasp?

Answer 31

On the lower arcade

Question 32

You perform a dental exam of a horse who is missing a tooth on its upper arcade. The corresponding tooth on the lower arcade is still present and had become overgrown/dominant. You have rasped in down appropriately. When might you need to revisit the horse? Does this differ from the normal frequency of dental exams?

Answer 32

May need to revisit in 3 months rather than 6

Question 33

When do you see hooks?

Answer 33

With poor conformation e.g. parrot mouth, sow mouth

If you find hooks at the front, check at the back