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Our services
Routine Care
We recommend that every horse receive a thorough annual oral exam. This service involves Brief physical examIndividualized safe sedationComplete external and internal oral examOdontoplasty (floating of teeth)Minor periodontal and perioceutical treatmentsExtraction of wolf teeth, deciduous teeth (caps) and teeth with advanced periodontal disease
Malocclusions
Our practice has a special interest in treating the severe dental malocclusions more commonly known as parrot mouth, monkey mouth, and wry nose. Dr. Jack Easley pioneered orthodontic research in horses and developed the protocol for treating parrot and monkey mouth foals. In conjunction with Dr. Jim Schumacher, DAVCS, they have performed more life-saving surgical correction of young horses born with wry nose. Learn more about the surgical correction of malocclusions by clicking HERE.
Endodontics
Root canals and endodontic treatments are not just humans. These treatments can preserve the tooth and dental aracade while removing the painful infection. In addition, there is essentially no lost riding and training time for horses with heavy competition schedules. Our doctors can discuss whether or not your horse’s condition is suitable for endodontic treatment vs. extraction.
Periodontal Disease
As in humans, periodontal (gum) disease is a major concern in our equine patients. Dental overgrowths like hooks, waves, steps, and so on can lead to gaps between teeth called diastemata. Once the gaps are made, they become filled with stagnant forage that then begins to decay and harbor bacterial infections that in turn create painful inflammation. This can ultimately cause teeth to become so diseased that they loosen and need to be extracted as well as allowing the the disease to spread to other teeth. Our doctors utilize a variety of techniques and strategies to stop feed from becoming trapped in diastemata as well as treat any infections and inflammation that are present. Find out more about the diastema widening procedure HERE.
Extractions
Our veterinarians are experts in the field of equine dentistry. If a tooth requires extraction, we have the instruments and expertise to select the most appropriate technique for treatment. We regularly perform coronectomy, tooth sectioning, alveolectomy, and minimally invasive buccotomy techniques in addition to simple oral extraction during standing surgery. Our surgical goals are always to minimize discomfort, surgical time, and post-surgical complication risks.
Sinus Disease
Dental and sinus disease can often go hand-in-hand due to the roots of the maxillary cheek teeth being anchored in or near the horse’s large paranasal sinus cavities. The principle sign of a sinus infection with a dental cause is malodorous unilateral nasal discharge. However occasionally we see dental and non-dental masses that present with bloody nasal discharge, no odor, and/or bilateral. When sinus disease is diagnosed, both the inciting cause, such as a dental infection or mass, must be treated or removed and the affected sinuses need to be flushed clear of debris. Click HERE to learn about the types of surgical access the we make to treat sinus disease and learn about different methods of aftercare for owners.