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Common Dental
Conditions
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| Wave Mouth (uneven
molar table)
An uneven molar table
or wave mouth causes gradual excessive wear to many of the molars
resulting in poor utilization of food and eventual tooth loss. A horse
chews food from side to side in a rotating manner. Molar problems inhibit
the normal grinding motion necessary for eating. Wave mouth may be caused
by one of the following conditions:
- Retained caps (baby teeth)
- Missing teeth
- Hooks
- Ramping of the molar table
- Trauma
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Uneven Incisors
Uneven incisors can present in many forms
such as those diagrams to the right. This condition prevents the free side
to side normal chewing motion necessary for grinding of feed. In these
situations not only are the incisor teeth affected but over a period of
time the balance and efficiency of the molars are significantly
compromised. Several examples of uneven incisors include:
- Overbite (parrot mouth)
- Under bite
- Ventral curvature (smile)
- Dorsal curvature (frown)
- Offset or diagonal bite
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Dental Hooks
Dental hooks develop from the uneven
distribution of the upper versus the lower molar teeth. The tooth where a
hook is formed is offset (forward or back) resulting in the loss of
contact or wear with the opposing tooth. AS the rest of the tooth wears in
a normal fashion a hook forms. Dental hooks can cause lacerations in the
gums and may cause discomfort as the head carriage or frame is changing
with riding. Dental hooks require preventative maintenance to prevent
reoccurrence. |
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