In the past, dental care was one of the last things to be considered when looking at the overall health of a horse. Now, veterinarians have found it to be a key component of horse maintenance. We have seen a dramatic increase in the a horse's lifespan because of the improvements that have been made to horse dentistry.
We recommend that the mouth of a horse be looked at least once a year during an annual veterinary exam. This can start as a foal. This can be done without sedating the animal, and it allows us to look for signs of problems. If problems are seen, then we can perform a more complete and in-depth exam under sedation. At our clinic we have stocks to place your horse into for added security and stability during the exam.
Look for ulceration of the cheek mucosa
Reduce sharp enamel points and hooks
Improve lateral movement of the mandible and temperomandibular joint (TMJ)
Align incisor profile
Check for loose/infected teeth
Look for cavities
Check for signs of periodontal disease