Equine Dentistry: Occlusion, Examination, and the Traps That Catch Candidates
Why equine dentistry is its own discipline
Equine teeth are hypsodont, continuously erupting, and arranged in a long cheek-tooth row. Questions test whether you understand normal wear, the consequences of malocclusion, and the safe limits of examination and treatment.
Concepts you must own
- Dental formula and eruption. Know the permanent equine formula and the approximate eruption ages of incisors and cheek teeth, since age estimation questions rely on them.
- Occlusal surfaces and wear. The upper cheek teeth have ridges of enamel and dentin; the lower teeth wear to expose sharp enamel points on the buccal edges (upper) and lingual edges (lower). Understand how this produces ulceration and quidding.
- Malocclusions. Recognize overjet, overbite, and wave mouth, and understand that some malocclusions are managed rather than cured.
- Examination technique. Sedation, a full-mouth speculum, a dental mirror and light, and careful palpation are expected; radiographs or endoscopy are used for sinuses and deep structures.
- Floating and its limits. Understand what routine floating corrects and what it cannot, and why overaggressive reduction is harmful.
- Sinus and periapical disease. Know that maxillary cheek tooth roots sit close to the sinuses, so apical infection can present as nasal discharge.
Classic traps
- Assuming sharp points occur on the same side of upper and lower arcades.
- Over-reducing teeth, which disrupts occlusion and can worsen problems.
- Missing that nasal discharge can be dental in origin.
- Relying on visual inspection alone without a speculum and mirror.
Worked example
A horse shows quidding and buccal ulceration. On examination, sharp enamel points are found on the buccal aspect of the upper cheek teeth. The correct interpretation is that normal wear leaves these points projecting laterally, and they abrade the cheek. The plan is careful floating of the points, not wholesale reduction of the occlusal surface. Rule of thumb: upper buccal, lower lingual are where points form.