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Dental Care is more
than just Floating a horse's teeth.
Conditions
that may be due to Dental Problems:
- Difficult
to Guide While Riding
- Head
Tilt
- Head
Tossing
- Head
Shaking
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- Fighting
the Bit
- Weight
Loss
- Drooling
- Lugging
In or Out
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- Difficulty
in Chewing
- Inability
to Eat
- Tongue
Lolling
- Bit
Chewing
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Correcting
Dental Problems:
- Reduces
and Eliminates Discomfort From Pain
- Improves
Athletic Performance
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- Improves
Bit Accommodation, thus Better Steering
- Improves
Eating Efficiency
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Caudal
Hooks
Dominant lower or upper last molar overhanging opposing molar. |
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Rostral
Hooks
Dominant upper front premolars overhang lower premolars.
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Ramps
Excessive height to lower front premolars.
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Enamel
Points
Sharp points that generally form on the outside of the upper molars
and the inside of the lower molars.
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Sheared
Molar Table
Extreme angulation of chewing surface of molars.
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Wave
Complexes
Molar arcade develops an uneven "wavelike" appearance
generally involving many premolars and molars.
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Stepped
Molars
Molar arcade develops stepped-like appearance.
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Accentuated
Transverse Ridges
Enlarged ridges that run across chewing surfaces of molars.
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Periodontal
Pockets
Gum disease around tooth causing an area for feed to pocket.
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Diastema
Space that occurs between two adjoining teeth.
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Overbite
Upper incisors protrude in front of lower incisors.
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Underbite
Lower incisors protrude in front of upper incisors.
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Ventral
Curvature (smile)
Outer corner lower incisors grow longer relative to
outer corner upper incisors.
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Dorsal
Curvature (frown)
Outer corner upper incisors grow longer relative to
outer corner lower incisors.
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Offset
or Diagonal Bite
Upper incisors on one side of mouth are excessively long
and lower incisors on opposite side are excessively
long, causing incisors to meet on a diagonal.
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Bone
Spur
Mandibular periostitis or abnormal bony growth due to
trauma.
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Wolf
Teeth
Mandibular periostitis or abnormal bony growth due to
trauma.
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Blind
Wolf Tooth
Abnormal wolf tooth that does not break through gums.
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Proper dental care is essential to your horse's
health. Your horse will be more comfortable, utilize feed more
efficiently, perform better and may even live longer.
Malocclusions, or the improper position
and contact between teeth, lead to inefficient chewing, bit discomfort,
excessive wear and premature loss of teeth. Many horses will not show
symptoms of dental problems until it is too late. Horses experiencing
oral pain will not perform up to their best abilities.
Complete oral exams every six months to one
year and regular
preventative dental care allow
horses to live healthier and perform better.
Our goal is a happy healthy
horse!
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