Page 59 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Incisor reduction

The incisor teeth can grow too long in some horses; this is often the consequence of other
VetBooks.ir dental problems that need to be identified and dealt with. When viewed from in front the

meeting of the upper and lower incisors should be an almost horizontal line. The most
common abnormalities are when they curve upwards on both sides (‘smile’), downwards

(‘frown’) or meet in a diagonal line (‘slant’). In selected cases it may be necessary to reduce
the height of some of the incisors with hand or power tools to allow efficient chewing with

the cheek teeth. However, this procedure is controversial and should only be done by those
with experience and a good knowledge of oral biomechanics. The procedure is usually

carried out in stages as removal of too much tooth can result in pulp exposure, pain, infection
and ultimately death of the teeth. It can also result in abnormal stress being placed on the
cheek teeth, leading to excessive wear, fractures and diastemata (gaps between the teeth).

THE GERIATRIC HORSE

If a horse lives to old age, it is likely to suffer from tooth loss and table height irregularities.
The teeth get worn down to the roots and become very smooth as the roots contain no hard

enamel ridges. Chewing of forage becomes more difficult and so they can be more
susceptible to choke and intestinal impactions. To reduce the likelihood of this, the diet

should be altered so that the nutritional needs are met by specially formulated concentrate
rations which can be soaked if necessary. If the horse is managing to eat well, care should be
taken not to loosen the remaining teeth by over-zealous rasping. Very loose teeth and those

associated with an unpleasant smell are removed. In these situations, antibiotics may be
given to treat accompanying infection

MISSING TEETH AND DIASTEMATA

Whenever a tooth is missing for any reason, the opposite tooth or teeth will become overlong
as they are not worn down by grinding and they should be regularly reduced in height. The

teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth tend to move into it so that narrow gaps
called diastemata (singular, diastema) may develop between adjacent teeth. This can lead to

pockets of food collecting between the teeth, which may cause quidding, inflammation of the
gums and discomfort to the horse. This may be helped by careful widening of the gaps and,

in some cases, placing either temporary or permanent bridges to prevent food being trapped.
Regular cleaning and flushing of the mouth is beneficial where this is possible. Reducing the
height of the opposing teeth helps to prevent food being forced into these gaps.

These procedures should only be performed by an experienced veterinary surgeon who

has undergone the necessary training.