Understanding Your Equine’s Oral Examination and Treatments
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Sedation, a mouth speculum (to hold the mouth open) and a bright light allow us to perform a safe and thorough examination. We inspect each tooth and the surrounding soft tissues with a dental mirror. Dental probes and cameras (endoscopy) are used when needed. We use abbreviations for dental charting to record the details of the exam and list the teeth using a number system. To record issues between teeth, two teeth are listed (e.g. 106-7 is between teeth 106 and 107). We refer back to these records at your equine’s next oral exam to compare.
Sharp enamel points
Equine teeth continuously grow and they develop sharp edges from the motion of chewing.
Buccal/lingual ulcers: Sores from sharp enamel points or abnormal teeth rubbing on the cheeks or tongue.
Treatment → Sharp enamel point reduction: Sharp points are smoothed using a motorized dental float.
Dental Imbalances
These include various overgrowths or unevenness that prevent the horse from chewing smoothly:
ETR= Excessive transverse ridges are bumps on the chewing surface that are taller than the surrounding teeth.
T/EL= Tooth elongation is when the whole tooth is overgrown and longer than it should be.
HK= Hooks are a sharp protrusion
RMP= Ramps are a sloped overgrowths
WV= Waves are when the grinding surface of multiple teeth rise and fall in a wave pattern.
DB or DL= Tooth deviated (crooked or tilted) buccally (towards the cheek) or lingually (towards the tongue)
Treatment → Odontoplasty: The correction of any dental overgrowths. Motorized equipment allows precise, safe adjustments. Dental equilibration, or “floating teeth”, includes sharp enamel point reduction and odontoplasty.
Periodontal Disease
D/V= Valve Diastema is when dental imbalances cause uneven pressure which makes two teeth drift slightly apart. This space between teeth allows feed material to becomes wedged, where it decays and causes infection.
PP= Periodontal pocket is when infection starts to break down the tooth attachments.
Treatment → Trapped feed material is removed and the area is cleaned and flushed. Depending on severity, it may be packed with antibiotics or dental impression material (splash plug). Odontoplasty to correct the root cause (imbalanced/overgrown teeth) helps healing by decreasing pressure. In some cases, a relief cut can be made between the teeth to further decrease pressure and feed trapping (occlusal relief burr or diastema odontoplasty). If left untreated, periodontal disease leads to premature tooth loss.
Damaged Teeth
CA/INF= Infundibular caries are cavities caused by a developmental defect of the tooth.
Treatment → Feeds high in sugar can worsen cavities, so a low-sugar diet is recommended. If infundibular caries become severe, they can lead to fracture of the tooth. If caries are worsening to that point, a filling can be done by a specialist dental surgeon to prevent fracture.
CA/PER= Peripheral caries (cavities) are erosions on the edges of the tooth.
Treatment → Feeds high in sugar can worsen cavities, so a low-sugar diet is recommended.
PH/D= Pulp Horn Defect indicates damage to the live part of the tooth containing blood supply and nerves.
Treatment → X-rays can determine the viability of the tooth. If root infection is present, extraction is needed. Extractions: If there are any loose, fractured, or infected teeth, they can be removed. Some extractions can be performed on the farm, and some need to be done in a clinic with a board-certified veterinary dental surgeon.
Geriatric Changes
CUPD=Crown cupping is when the enamel starts wearing away and the tooth is cupped out due to age.
EXP=Expired is when a geriatric equine’s tooth is worn smooth down to the gumline.
Treatment → Dietary changes: Old teeth aren’t able to grind hay well. Senior feed, soaked alfalfa cubes, and chopped forage are easier for geriatrics to chew and digest.
Dental Aftercare
Remove all hay/feed from the stall until your equine is wide awake and alert, about an hour.
Routine dentistry is not painful, so they should not have difficulty eating after the procedure. Occasionally they will need some time to adjust to the changes if there are a lot of corrections needed. If you notice signs of discomfort or difficulty eating, please let us know– there may be an underlying issue such as jaw arthritis.
Sometimes gums will bleed a little when periodontal disease is cleaned out, similar to when a person’s gums bleed after flossing for the first time in awhile. The gums may be a bit tender while they are healing. If antibiotic packing is used, this can have a bitter taste that may effect their appetite the day of the procedure.
Blood may drip from the mouth for a few hours after a tooth is extracted, and they may spit out a blood clot. They will receive a pain injection at the time of extraction, and if they need further pain medication, that can be prescribed by the vet who performed the procedure.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Dental Brochure
EOTRH Information
Periodontal Disease
Vaccine Support Guarantee
You're Covered!
Vaccine Support Guarantee for Veterinarian-Administered Vaccinations
Since your equine’s vaccines were administered by a licensed veterinarian, they qualify for the manufacturer’s immunization guarantee. Your veterinarian is trained to store, handle, and administer vaccines properly and has selected a vaccination program for your horse based on individual risk factors. For these reasons, the vaccine manufacturer will reimburse reasonable diagnostic and treatment costs, up to $5,000, if a horse that is properly vaccinated by a veterinarian contracts any of the corresponding diseases: EEE, WEE, Tetanus, West Nile Virus, Influenza, Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (respiratory).
Reliable Emergency Services 24/7/365 for Our Current Patients
We always have an equine veterinarian on call. Don't hesitate to call if you're not sure whether your horse needs to be seen– we will help determine how serious the issue is and provide triage advice until your horse can receive veterinary care. To be considered a current patient, an examination must be performed within the last 12 months.
Active Client Preferred Pricing
If your horse has received an annual wellness exam & recommended preventative care from our veterinarians within the past 12 months, you will qualify as an Active Client. When your veterinarian plays an active role in your horse’s health care, many illnesses and emergencies are prevented. But if they do happen (because let’s face it, some horses are accident-prone!), Active Client urgent and emergency fees are significantly less than inactive clients. All Active Clients receive the same preferred pricing on urgent care and emergency fees, whether or not they are signed up for a wellness plan. Only our current patients are covered for after hours emergencies.
Benefits of Wellness Care
​When you partner with Miamitown Equine, we work with you to tailor wellness care to each horse’s needs while also factoring in your budget and goals. Whether we are treating a pasture pet, trail buddy, or show horse, we provide each with the same level of compassionate care and personalize it to the individual situation. Wellness exams allow us to be an active member of your horse's care team so that we can catch problems early. An annual wellness exam is complimentary with vaccinations and will maintain an active Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR).
We recommend the following wellness care:
· Wellness exams once or twice a year to evaluate overall health
· Vaccination program tailored to your horse’s needs
· Dental care once or twice a year, performed by a qualified veterinarian
· Fecal egg count in the spring with a personalized deworming plan based on the results
What to Expect
Every horse responds differently to vaccinations. Many horses experience no side effects, but some may experience mild, temporary side effects such as low-grade fever, decreased appetite, fatigue, and tenderness/swelling at the injection site. Mild reactions are just a sign of the immune system mounting a response and should dissipate within 24-48 hours after vaccination. Severe reactions are very rare and include hives, difficulty breathing, or colic. If your horse experiences a vaccine reaction, please contact us for guidance.