What kind of dentistry is your horse really receiving?

Floating Teeth this is what is most commonly done and what is taught at most AVMA accredited programs and simply consists of removing sharp enamel points from the outside edges of the upper molar arcades and the inside edges of the lower molar arcades and nothing more.  This is the current standard of dental care required by the AVMA.  Basically it is nothing more than blindly rasping sharp points and is often referred to as a "cowboy float" or "race track float", even if done with motorized equipment. 

Blindly because in many instances a the tongue is held while the motorized equipment is quickly used over the sharp points.  Very few utilize a speculum to hold open the mouth, a powerful head lamp (like used at your dentists office) and even fewer inspect each tooth to look for mal-occlusions, chips, cracks and fractures, periodontal disease, infundibular necrosis, and other issues that can cause colic, choke, abscesses or low grade infections, behavior issues and yes, PAIN.  

Only someone who has completed specific and extensive training designed to teach more than how to utilize dentistry equipment, whether they are a vet or a non-veterinary dental care provider will be able to recognize these issues.  So when you make an appointment to have your horses teeth floated - ask and be aware of what is actually being provided for your horse. 


Dental Prophylaxis  is designed to reduce the sharp edges (enamel points) from the teeth, correct small hooks, waves and transverse ridges - basically to balance the upper and lower teeth so your horse will be able to chew/eat properly (mastication), comfortably and teeth will wear evenly.

Performance Dentistry in addition to dental prophylaxis it includes removal of wolf teeth, reduction and smoothing of canine teeth,  creation of bit seats to make using a bit more comfortable and effective for the horse.

Corrective Dentistry here you are dealing with dental overgrowths that need correction.  It may be a portion of a tooth (hooks, excessive or accentuated transverse ridges), the entire tooth (protruding, step or ramp), several teeth (wave) or an entire arcade (row of teeth). Also correcting the molar and incisor table heights and angles for proper occlusion (surface to surface contact of opposing teeth).

Oral Dental Surgery, Orthodontics and Endodontics

definitions By Jack Easley, DVM, MS, Diplomat ABVP (Equine), Equine Veterinary Practice