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Equine Nutrition :: Equine Dentistry :: Equine Vaccination
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Canine Teeth Reduction:

Canine teeth are commonly found in male horses on the front 1/3 of the bars. These teeth are often absent or vestigial in females. Wild horses use these teeth for herding and fighting, but canines serve no purpose in the domestic horse.

In bitted horses, the crown of the canine teeth are often reduced and rounded to prevent injury to the tongue and the handler's hands.

The black arrows point to the canine teeth of a mature gelding. These teeth can develop sharp edges which make them formidable weapons in aggressive males. The blue arrow points to a hook malocclusion on the upper 3rd incisor. This malocclusion is commonly (but incorrectly) termed the "7 Year Hook" since horsemen believe it to form at this age. This hook can form any time after this incisor come into wear (5 years).

The lingual aspect (toward to tongue) of the crown of the lower left canine tooth in a mature gelding.

This picture shows reduction of both the canine teeth and the "7 year hook" on the upper 3rd incisor.

An impressively tall lower canine tooth in a senior gelding.

A typical Vestigial Canine Tooth in a mature mare. These teeth usually cause no functional or performance problems.

Since canine teeth are not in occlusal contact with each other, tartar accumulation, with secondary gingivitis, is common.
Without preventative care, gingivitis can progress to severe dental disease such as caries and periodontal disease.

Early periodontal disease in a teenage horse.

Periodontal Disease in an 8 year old gelding. (Young horses can also be affected by Periodontal Disease.)
This picture demonstrates active periodontitis. The gums are inflamed and bleed easily.

Lower Canine Tooth with a Severe Cavity:
Cavities such as this are fairly common. They usually progress secondary to tartar accumulation on the tooth and are painful since live pulp tissues (containing nerves) become exposed.

This was a very painful cavity in a 16 year old gelding.

Treatment options for severe cavities such as these are limited to Root Canal Therapy or Tooth Extraction. Both procedures are complicated surgeries; however, Root Canal Therapy will save the tooth.

The owner of this horse elected to treat the infected tooth with Root Canal Therapy. This picture shows the tooth after the procedure has been completed and a composite restoration (filling) has been applied to seal the pulp chamber.

Blind Canines: "Blind" is the common term used to describe unerupted teeth. (The correct dental term is "Impacted.") The gingiva over the tooth is very sensitive to pressure, and horses with impacted teeth often show signs of oral pain such as behavioral problems or performance refusal.

To alleviate this painful problem and allow the tooth to erupt into it's normal location, the tissue over the tooth is removed. This procedure is call a Gingivectomy. As with any oral surgery, a local anesthetic is applied to control pain, then the impacting gingiva is surgically excised.

The wound is left open and heals uneventfully within 7 to 10 days.