Westrow Equine Dental Service Ltd

 

 ::Articles::                          Alter ipse amicus

    For the Good of the Horse and Rider

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

44(0)1825732728

 

Fax:

44(0)1825732025

 

Mobiles:

Doug:

44(0)7775761045

 

Simon:

44(0)7789118880

 

“Skype”

Dentaldoug

 

 

 

 

Top

Why has my horse suddenly developed dental problems?

 

Over the past few years I am increasingly being asked “Why has my horse suddenly developed dental problems?”  This question is especially common when I take on new clients.  It is an extremely important question as it is essential for horse owners to realise that most dental abnormalities have not arisen over night, but have most probably been present throughout the horse’s dental history. Of course accidental trauma to the mouth or hidden diseases can cause instant changes to its appearance and functionality and these, therefore, are exceptions.

We have no control over equine tooth development; we can only employ proper equine dentistry to correct developmental or acquired imperfections and then provide suitable and regular treatment to maintain these corrections.  However, it must be accepted that, the more severe the imperfection, the more regular and intensive the treatment that may be required.

 

Today’s horse has been domesticated and developed to suit our needs which have undoubtedly compromised its natural functions. By adapting its grazing, feeding and environment, for example, we have created a whole new variety of muscular and skeletal imbalances.

 Breeding has played a huge part in the creation of these and many other problems. By mixing native breeds we have confused tooth development, (Dentogenesis) sometimes resulting in tooth deformity, mal-eruption or extremities in density from one tooth to the next. Feeding concentrates to the horse dramatically alters jaw function which in turn effects masticatory muscle development considerably. This can cause temporomandibular (TMJ or jaw joint) tension/dysfunction and create dental imbalances which will eventually pass tension throughout the entire horse, affecting the joint mechanisms and muscles, finally leading to pain and lameness.

By removing them from their native habitats, we have taken them away from the natural forage on which they have evolved, designed by nature to wear their teeth sufficiently to equilibrate (balance) dental eruption by natural attrition (wear) during long periods of grazing.

 

It surprises most people when I tell them that the feeding of hay or haylage dramatically increases the chances of the horse developing dental decay and other diseases. Long hard fibers are easily trapped between, and in, recessed areas of the teeth, these trapped fibers in time ferment causing the acids and bacteria produced to slowly eat away at the infected site resulting in pain, cavities and the eventual loss of teeth.

As you can see, there are many issues that come with domestication and I have mentioned but a few, by highlighting some of the main reasons you should now understand why they definitely do not form overnight or indeed within the 6/12mth period between dental check ups, and why if undetected or left untreated, the longevity of your horse’s dentition will be compromised.

 

I find that large number of horses I examine for the first time requires some kind of corrective dental procedure. This often strikes doubt into my new clients as they question “Why does my horse suddenly need this treatment, when he/she has been treated regularly by my usual vet/dentist?” Your Equine Dentist / Vet, you would hope, should know what he or she is doing when they examine and treat your horses’ teeth, unfortunately there is a higher percentage that don’t than do. Don’t let qualifications or what seem to be highly decorated positions within the world of equine dentistry fool you, they are not all that they purport to be, this applies to dentists and vets alike.

 

Equine dentistry in the UK is far from perfect and has a long way to go, methods employed and treatments provided, vary dramatically across the board. The degree to which a treatment is administered is based mainly upon the opinion the practitioner. A veterinary surgeon, for example, (especially one who does not ride), may only look at the clinical aspect of dentistry, unaware of how dental imbalances can dramatically affect performance.

 

Once your horse’s mouth has been examined the findings, however minor, should be pointed out to you, the horse owner. Your equine dental practitioner should be able to explain in depth the mechanical and anatomical functions of your horse’s mouth, how it will affect health and performance and the implications of any suggested treatment plan.

 

One of the most important dental procedures often carried out is dental balancing,  termed ‘Occlusal Equilibration’ (O/E), this procedure, when carried out correctly, helps regulate tooth eruption, allowing even tooth wear by correcting malocclusions,  removing premature points of contact along the chewing surfaces which have developed naturally or are the product of poor dentistry. Uneven points of molar contact increase masticatory forces, which will eventually create dental and periodontal issues. Accurate occlusal equilibration will enable the horses’ jaw to function correctly, eliminate those abnormal forces which will in turn create unwanted pressures to the musco-skeletal system and cause pain to the horse when it is eating and whilst it is ridden, we all know how pain affects normal bio-mechanical functions!

 

To correctly equilibrate equine teeth we adjust the incisor arcades (front teeth) before the molars (chewing teeth), as by treating the molars first can compromising the contact between the upper and lower molar surfaces and leave the horse with no grind. The incisors are the horses cutting teeth used for the prehension of food, they also provide a crucial point of balance between the TMJ and the molar arcades, as the upper and lower incisor arcades are in direct contact when the mouth is closed and at rest in the central position. Many practitioners ignore the incisors; some say they do not need to be touched. Apart from the issues of dental balance, the incisors are living, erupting dentition which also develop abnormalities, if ignored, I can assure you that your horse will have received less than 75% of the treatment it needs which is not acceptable. If your horse has overshot/undershot, rotated, stepped or slanted incisors, the surface angle will be abnormal and I can also assure you that this will affect jaw function considerably.

 

Incisors that require corrective work, (and not all do), should, after treatment, have a bite line that is horizontal from corner to corner, depending on the shape and position of the incisive bone. To achieve this balance a slight gap between the corner incisor contact is occasionally created, this does not compromise the horses eating ability at all. The angles of the surfaces should point directly toward and in line with the TMJ (the jaw joint), this will enable the TMJ to function freely in all directions without stress to the itself or to the muscles of mastication.

 

The molars are the horses chewing/grinding teeth, six in each row (or arcade) of teeth (three premolars & three molars in each) pushing together to make one long chewing unit, if any part of that unit is missing, protuberant, displaced or rotated, it can seriously interfere with jaw functionality and tooth eruption. To ensure that we achieve the best from the molar arcades we need to reduce crown heights and adjust molar table angles, a procedure which requires a complete understanding of the bio-mechanical functions of the jaw and daily practice to perfect and maintain this skill. By correctly performing this procedure not only will we increase dental life by regulating eruption and wear patterns of the teeth, we will have taken away abnormal mechanical forces which can cause disease and pain throughout the horse. This in turn provides increased oral and physical comfort for the horse, especially when bitted and, therefore, greatly improves its performance and lightness when ridden.

 

Occasionally more advanced dental procedures, including molar or incisor extractions are required. These procedures are usually indicated when diseased or damaged teeth are beyond saving or when abnormal dentition has damaged teeth or jaw function beyond repair. There are many other reasons which include infections from microbes whilst teeth are developing and erupting, infections through blood supply and various fractures through trauma. The extraction of teeth is not ideal and varies greatly in difficulty, but loose, fractured or diseased teeth are painful and can lead to other diseases or will systemically affect your horse’s health. I believe that these problems should not be ignored.

 

Unfortunately the removal of equine teeth will disturb molar arcade tightness which may create diastemata (gaps) and the super-eruption of the opposing tooth/teeth into the space left by the extraction/s. In such cases 6 monthly dental check ups are advised in order that jaw functionality is maintained by reducing the protuberant tooth/teeth.

 

The need for other advanced procedures which include the treatment of periodontal disease and tooth restoration, can also be attributed to mechanical imbalances and will occur over a long period if undetected or during dental development.

 

I must reiterate that most dental abnormalities do not just suddenly occur, they have been developing for a long time, often from the time of eruption, and many of these problems should be easily identified from the beginning. Remember, your horse will suffer in silence, It has to eat to live and will make the best of what it has until its mouth reaches the point where it is unable to chew. I can not stress strongly enough the importance for all equines to receive proper dental treatment to these ends, overall levels of skill and knowledge must be drastically improved for all practitioners. Confidence and an understanding between proper dentists and veterinarians must be achieved, and finally, for the sake of the horse, PROPER qualifications must be agreed upon and made a legal requirement for all.  

 

 

Let me leave you with this thought...…Equine Dentistry is not a part time career, an add on or just an ‘everyday job’, it is a profession to be proud of, an art form, that requires daily practice with a thirst to improve and develop knowledge and ultimately, to improve the health and performance of all equines. Choose wisely!

 

 

Simon Vieweg IAED/CA BAEDT

Board member of the International Association of Equine Dentistry established 1987.

BEVA/BVDA qualified, member of British Association of Equine Dental Technicians.