KT EQUINE DENTISTRY

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KATHRYN THOMAS

 Equine Dental Technician

© 2009 All content copyright. Kathryn Thomas KT Equine Dentistry

Dental Examination

 

External

 

· Take history, basic information

· Restrain the horse appropriately, initially physically with a head collar and lead rope, with confinement to a well lit stable

· A Veterinary Surgeon may be required to administer sedation at this point if the individual requires it

· Check head for symmetry, by palpating the temporalis and masseter muscles for similar size- this could show preference to one side when eating if asymmetrical (figure 1)

· Palpate around the sinus area for enlargement

· Palpate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for a pain reaction (figure 2)

· Check parotid salivary gland and lymph nodes for inflammation and enlargements – possibly an indication of strangles

 

 

 

 

 

 

· Run hand along the mandible checking for fractures and abcesses.  Also eruption cysts, which are common up until the age of 4, they are non – painful enlargements of the normal tooth crown and root development (figure 3)

· Place pressure along the cheek where the upper cheek teeth lie – observing for a reaction to pain

· Observe the eyes and nostrils for uni / bilateral discharge

· Palpate the commissures of the mouth for bit damage, melanomas especially in grey horses and check the colour of the mucosa for a healthy salmon pink colour

· Palpate the bars of the mouth for bones spurs, unerupted canines and canines with tartar accumulation

Internal

 

· Fit speculum (figure 5)

· Wash out mouth with dose syringe

· Observe with good light source and mirror if required

· BEGIN TREATMENT

· Disinfect kit

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· Observe the incisors for number and correct formation / symmetry / bite.  Check angle of incisors which should be 10 – 15 degrees relative to the bars of the mouth, in line with the facial crest and TMJ (figure 4)

· Palpate rostral aspect of the 2nd premolar for wolf teeth – which erupt between 6-9 months of age

· Finally perform a lateral excursion test, listening for the movement and contact between the upper and lower molar arcades.
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Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5