Equine Dental Development and Its Relationship to Disease

A basic understanding of dental development and anatomy is the foundation for being able to perform a meaningful oral examination, diagnose dental disease and plan and carry out successful treatment. Hypsodont dentition continually changes in number, shape, position, and function throughout the horse’s life. Even though dental procedures have been routinely performed on horses for over 150 years; only recently have we begun to understand in detail the marvel of equine dentition. The use of gross, histological, and ultrastructural examination of the teeth in various aged horses has given veterinarians a better understanding of tooth development and age-related changes. Advanced imaging (CT and MRI) have allowed practitioners and researchers the ability to look at the internal structures of teeth in live horses and pathological specimens. References can be found in the articles cited for additional reading.