VTT 254 Equine Dentistry Flashcards

Equine Dental Anatomy and Terminology

• Equine adult dental formula is 2(I3/3, C0-1/0-1, P3-4/3, M3/3) totaling 36 to 42 teeth.
• Hypsodont describes animals with continuously erupting teeth, characteristic of equine dentition.
• Equine teeth grow approximately 2-3 mm per year, affecting dental care practices.

Dental Conditions and Structures

• Diastemata refers to the spaces between teeth, which can contribute to dental issues.
• Caps are deciduous premolars that may still be present in older horses.
• Retained caps occur when baby teeth fail to detach properly post-eruption of permanent teeth.

Specific Tooth Identifications

• PM1, also known as the "Wolf Tooth," is commonly found on the maxilla (upper jaw).
• The palatine artery is located near the PM1 and is significant in dental procedures.

Age Estimation in Horses

• Horses can only be accurately aged until they reach 5 years of age due to changes in dental structure.
• The dental star is a pulp cavity mark that appears with wear and aging, first seen as a dark line before becoming oval.

Features of Teeth

• Cups are the black cavities located in the middle of the occlusal surface of incisors.
• Galvayne's groove appears on the labial surface of the upper I3 around 10 years of age, aiding in age estimation.
• Dental stars develop as a dark transverse line in dentin, filling the pulp cavity as the tooth wears down.

Observations on Aging

• At 15 years, dental stars appear round in the incisors, indicating progression of age-related changes.

Anatomy and Dental Care

• Hyoid bones are described as fragile bones, relevant to equine anatomy.
• Floating refers to the practice of filing down hooks, points, ramps, and waves on cheek teeth, necessary for maintenance of oral health.
• The surface to focus on when floating maxillary teeth is the buccal surface, while for mandibular teeth it is the lingual surface.

Sedation and Dental Procedures

• Common sedatives used for dental procedures in horses include detomidine, xylazine, and butorphanol.

Feeding Issues

• Quidding is a condition where horses drop partially chewed food in large rolls, often due to dental problems.