Page 752 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Gastrointestinal system: 4.1 The upper gastrointestinal tr act 727

VetBooks.ir 4.7 4.8

Fig. 4.7 Examination of the mouth of a pony using a Fig. 4.8 View of an oral examination showing buccal
Hauseman’s speculum. mucosal abrasion (arrows).

4.9 4.10

Fig. 4.9 Supernumerary distomolar in upper left Fig. 4.10 Occlusal view using a dental mirror of a
(Triadan 2-) arcade. caries in an upper equine cheek tooth.

visual examination, a digital palpation should be A more detailed examination of the occlusal surfaces
performed to detect defects that may be obscured of the caudal cheek teeth can be performed with the
by the tongue, and carefully counting the teeth assistance of a dental mirror or oroscope (Fig. 4.10).
to avoid missing supernumerary teeth (Fig. 4.9). Careful examination of the gingiva periodontium
Nitrile gloves are recommended for this to protect and probing the occlusal surfaces are necessary to
the hands from cumulative microtrauma. Dental fully appraise the dentition.
defects should be recorded using the Triadan system Dental endoscopy (oroscopic examination) has
(Fig. 4.1) and dental charts are a convenient method become widely available (Figs. 4.11, 4.12). This tech-
of doing this. Digital charts are widely available and nique provides well-illuminated magnified images
convenient for client dissemination and storage. of the occlusal and interproximal areas, enables