Equine Dental Exam

Indications for performing this procedure:  The dental examination is an important part of many aspects of horsemanship.  These include regular care of a horse, assessment of a purchase prospect, elimination of a medical basis for riding/biting problems, and in diagnosing a problem involving the gastrointestinal tract. 

The Procedure:  The horse to be examined should be outfitted in a loose-fitting halter to facilitate opening the mouth.  In nervous or uncooperative animals, chemical restraint (sedation) may also be necessary, but should not be used until the horse has first been observed under normal circumstances and the neurological evaluation has been completed, if necessary.  Prior to observation/palpation of the mouth, it should be thoroughly irrigated with water, noting the volume, odor, and consistency of the material washed out.

A thorough dental exam will most likely include the following points:

• Observation of the horse's overall temperament, attitude, and physical condition.

• Viewing of the head from both sides and the front to look for symmetry, swellings, or protrusions.  Noting also the amount/quality of lacrimation and nasal discharge.

• Evaluation of the horse's neurological function if cranial nerve function appears compromised.

• External palpation of the skull, checking for symmetrical, normal-sized muscle masses, temperomandibular joint function/size/symmetry, and percussion of the frontal and maxillary sinuses while the horse's mouth is open.

• External compression of the head along the lateral aspect of the upper dental arcade from the orbit to the end of the nasal bone to detect pain, depressions, asymmetry, or protuberances.

• Palpation/visualization of the commissures of the lips to detect trauma from dental or biting problems.

• Inspection of the front and sides of the incisors for even wear.

• Palpation/visualization of the diastema (toothless area just caudal to the incisors) to detect erupted or un-errupted canines and/or blind wolf teeth (first pre-molar).

• Evaluation of the amount of lateral mandibular excursion.

• Palpation/visualization of the oral cavity using a full mouth speculum and a focal light source.

• Endoscopic visualization of the oral cavity (if deemed necessary) to evaluate gingival pockets, interproximal spaces, and the occlusal surfaces of the molars and premolars.

References:

• Reed, S.M., and Bayly, W.M.  Equine Internal Medicine  1998:604-5.

• Smith, B.P.  Large Animal Internal Medicine  1996:690-1.