Equine Dentistry FAQs
What is floating?
At its most basic, floating is the removal of sharp points from teeth. This is accomplished by actually grinding or rasping the sharp edges of teeth until they are smooth. In cases of malocclusions (misaligned teeth), floating is performed to provide a horse with a more normal anatomy.
What is a normal anatomy?
Horses have twelve cheek teeth or premolars and molars on each side of their mouth. They have twelve incisors at the very front of their mouth. Between these sets of teeth is the interdental space (also known as the bars). This is an area of gum where the bit lies. Male horses over the age of four have canine teeth in this area and many horses have wolf teeth in this area. Canine teeth are normal and rarely pose any problem. Wolf teeth (see arrow below) are actually vestigal premolars and are typically removed.
Why do horses need floating?
The answer lies in the anatomy and physiology of horse teeth. Unlike humans, horse premolars and molars continually erupt (this means that new tooth is exposed throughout a horses life). As a tooth emerges, part of it is slowly ground away by chewing, leaving the hardest part: the enamel. Because the lower jaw is narrower than the upper, this results in an uneven wear. The most common dental problem is sharp points along the inside of the lower teeth and along the outside of the upper teeth. Below is an illustration of these points viewed end-on (looking down into the front of the mouth).
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Molars |
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In fact, any horse that has not been floated in at least a year will have some degree of sharp points present. These points rub and irritate the soft tissues (cheek and tongue) of the mouth and contribute to discomfort while eating or when bitted.
Continually erupting teeth can be a very serious problem for horses with malocclusions. If teeth do not line up properly (each lower tooth directly below each upper tooth) the unopposed tooth will continue to erupt if left unchecked this tooth can grow clear into the opposite gum line (a very painful condition). Usually malocclusions are minor only part of the tooth doesnt match up with its partner. This results in hooks and ramps often at the first and last molars. The pictures below illustrate a ramp present on the first lower premolar and a hook on the last upper molar.
Two other common problems are wave mouth and step mouth. These problems arise from abnormally erupted teeth, broken teeth, or chronic uneven wear of teeth. They are especially common in older horses. In these cases, the entire row of premolars and molars has an abnormal contour preventing the horse from chewing normally and causing jaw pain. Because of continual eruption, this problem only worsens with time.
Other problems include retained caps (caps are the deciduous premolars and molars that erupt and are shed in horses between the ages of 2 years and 4 years), broken teeth, infected teeth, and missing teeth. Remember that these teeth continually erupt an older horse (25-35 years) will actually run out of teeth! These horses in particular need regular exams to ensure that their dental anatomy does not get out of hand.
By floating teeth veterinarians can remove the sharp points, level hooks and ramps, and reshape the contours of the premolar and molar arcades. Thanks to modern advances in dentistry, these procedures are made quicker and easier by the use of power tools.
Are power tools dangerous to horses?
There are a variety of power tools available to float teeth. Some tools have sharp rotating burs or are designed with reciprocating bits the potential for injury to the mouth is very real and these tools are best left to veterinarians experienced at handling them. The PowerFloat a patented dental tool that relies on a grinding disk, is among the most tissue-friendly of all power dental tools. Contact with soft tissue is basically equivalent to rubbing it with a dull nail file. The design includes a clutch to prevent over-grinding if the bit becomes lodged between teeth and a ground fault interrupter to prevent both horse and operator from electrical shock.
Power tools enable dentistry to be performed more quickly (less sedation for the horse) and very effectively it has become the standard for correcting moderate to severe dental abnormalities.
How often should I have my horses teeth floated?
This really depends on your horses age, anatomy, and level of performance. A good rule of thumb is a yearly exam. Some horses are very sensitive and have a drop in performance as soon as they develop sharp points. Many high-level horses are examined and floated on a six-month basis.
Young horses are typically first floated when they enter training (start wearing a bit). This ensures that their mouth is comfortable, no wolf teeth are present, and they begin their career without the handicap of an abnormal mouth.
For horses with problem mouths, a six month or yearly schedule is usually quite sufficient. These are often horses with malocclusions, a history of broken or extracted teeth, or geriatric horses. An exam and cursory float to keep their problems in check is usually all that is required.
Most light-use or pasture horses with normal anatomy are best-served with an exam and float every 1 to 2 years.
Miniature horses in particular are susceptible to many dental abnormalities (same number of teeth in a much smaller head). They bite misalignment and retained caps are common problems in minis. They should be checked yearly for these problems.
Does my horse need to be floated right now?
Classic signs of dental problems or mouth pain include:
Dropping grain while eating
Tilting of head while eating
Resentment to bit head tossing, shaking, tongue lolling
Weight loss or poor hair coat
Drooling
Bad breath
A decline in performance resists stopping, turning
Remember that some horses with significant dental problems may show no signs and a horse that has not had a dental exam in two or more years should be evaluated.
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