Dental Services

The advance in equine dentistry over the last 10 years has been substantial. Unfortunately, it still remains an area frequently overlooked by client and veterinarians alike, “out of sight - out of mind”. The importance of a good mouth cannot be overstated. It is one of the primary reasons horses are living longer and healthier. The cost of an annual exam and dental frequently is more than made up for in feed savings, decrease in colics and chokes as well as increases in performance. The procedure has increased in sophistication over the years; long gone are the days of hand restraining the horse and running a hand float in the mouth for a brief “knocking off the points”. Our basic exam and dental begins with a brief physical followed by sedation.*

Once the horse is sedated and relaxed, an examination is performed with the results noted and transcribed. Utilizing a support to cradle their head, a combination of power and hand floats are used to correct the problems found during the examination. When necessary we can provide dental radiographs (digital) as well as dental surgeries. With all the knowledge and great equipment we have access to today, there is no reason to neglect your horse’s mouth.


Notes:
* Sedation is a practice that enables your horse to remain relaxed and not stress over the dental procedure while allowing we as veterinarians to perform a more complete and less potentially dangerous procedure. Neither are horses use to nor do they appreciate a veterinarian opening their mouth with a full mouth speculum, having a thorough dental exam and procedure performed, complete with power equipment and hands being placed in their mouths. Can a truly thorough exam and treatment be performed without a cooperative patient?


The practice of dentistry is considered by the State of North Carolina to be a medical procedure. Practicing medicine/dentistry without a veterinary license is against the law. Would you go to a human dentist that had not gone to dental school? It is more than just rasping teeth.