Dental Care and Dentistry

There is increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy horse's teeth. Every horse can encounter a dental issue at some point in its life, which is a good reason to have regular dental checks. At Equitom, we not only offer specialized treatments and diagnostic techniques but also the possibility of a thorough routine dental examination.

Preventing serious dental problems starts with regular check-ups. This is key to maintaining a healthy and long-lasting set of teeth for your horse.

Horses have hypsodont teeth, meaning their teeth wear down approximately 3-4 millimeters each year. This wear is counterbalanced by chewing, but over time, by the end of their life, the reserve crown in the jaw will be depleted, and the teeth will fall out. A horse's teeth are constantly changing. By having a dental check-up at least once a year, small or emerging issues can be detected and treated in time.

At Equitom, we use an oroscope (a camera that can view inside the mouth) during the dental check-up. This allows the teeth of your horse to be clearly visualized in detail. Even the most difficult-to-see problems can be clearly shown and treated with camera-guided techniques. Horses are very good at hiding tooth pain and do not always show obvious symptoms when something is wrong with their teeth.

Common dental problems in horses include:

Further investigation

In addition to the standard oral dental inspection, we at Equitom regularly use advanced techniques such as radiography, scintigraphy, and even CT scans to accurately detect dental and sinus problems. When very detailed information is needed, for example, in cases of suspected early tooth root infections, complex dental abnormalities, or sinus issues, a CT scan is often used. This 3D imaging provides us with a detailed and complete picture, allowing us to make an accurate diagnosis and offer the most appropriate treatment.

Specialized Treatments

In addition to preventive check-ups, at Equitom, we also provide a wide range of specialized dental treatments. Most procedures, such as tooth extractions (both classical and minimally invasive transbuccal) and the treatment of sinus issues, can now be performed while the horse is standing under sedation and local anesthesia. Only very complicated procedures require general anesthesia and may be performed under the guidance of a CT scan.