A review of equine dental disorders.
Authors: Dixon P M, Dacre I
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: A Review of Equine Dental Disorders Equine dentistry has historically received insufficient attention in clinical practice despite the prevalence of painful, undiagnosed dental pathology affecting many horses; Dixon and Dacre's comprehensive review synthesises current knowledge across all tooth types to inform more rigorous diagnostic and treatment approaches. The authors emphasise that thorough examination using a full mouth speculum is non-negotiable, then systematically address incisor disorders (including deciduous retention, supernumerary teeth, and overjet with associated cheek teeth overgrowth), canine calculus formation, the controversial management of wolf teeth, and the substantial developmental abnormalities affecting cheek teeth such as rostral positioning, diastemata-related periodontal disease, and eruption disorders. Enamel overgrowths and enamel points emerge as the predominant equine dental disorder, largely attributable to domestication-related dietary shifts, yet remain substantially under-recognised despite their inevitably progression to severe conditions including shearmouth and widespread periodontal disease if left unmanaged. Apical infections of cheek teeth warrant particular vigilance given the extensive reserve crown length in young horses and the serious sequelae (facial swelling, fistulae, sinusitis, bone involvement); radiographic imaging is essential for diagnosis, whilst oral extraction is advocated over repulsion or buccotomy where feasible due to reduced anaesthetic risk and post-operative complications. For all equine professionals, this review underscores that systematic dental assessment should be integral to routine clinical evaluation, with particular attention to subtle diastemata, focal overgrowths, and wear patterns that are easily overlooked but substantially compromise welfare and performance.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Perform thorough oral examination with full mouth speculum on all horses as many suffer from undiagnosed, painful dental disorders that compromise mastication and performance.
- •Address enamel points and other wear disorders promptly to prevent progression to severe conditions like shearmouth and widespread periodontal disease.
- •Suspect apical infection in horses with facial swelling or fistulae and obtain radiographs for diagnosis; prioritize oral extraction to minimize complications compared to alternative extraction methods.
Key Findings
- •Enamel overgrowths (enamel points) represent the most common equine dental disorder, largely attributable to dietary changes associated with domestication.
- •Diastemata causing periodontal disease and quidding is a common but underdiagnosed problem in horses with excessive developmental spacing or inadequate compression of cheek tooth rows.
- •Apical infections of cheek teeth frequently cause bone infections, facial swellings, fistulae, and potentially sinusitis due to the extensive reserve crown length in hypsodont teeth.
- •Oral extraction of affected cheek teeth is advocated over repulsion or buccotomy as it reduces anesthesia costs and risks while minimizing post-extraction complications.