Equine Dental Anatomy and Physiology of Mastication

Dental disease and its prevention and treatment comprises approximately 10% of the general equine practitioner’s work. The most common disease affecting the equine hypsodont teeth is the development of dental overgrowths. Brachydont dentition (canines and wolf teeth) are less often diagnosed with dental disease. Gingivitis and periodontal disease as seen in many young horses can affect any tooth during the early stages of eruption especially at the time of deciduous tooth shedding. Periodontal disease in the older horse cheek teeth is often associated with crown attrition, diastema, and abnormalities of wear. Diseased canine and incisor teeth in the older horse are often affected by odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH).