In 2002, I left to start my own practice - one that dealt exclusively with equine dentistry. Since then, the practice has grown, adding new clients and establishing referral relationships with other equine veterinarians to provide specialized dental services.
Vaccination
Often at this age, foals are getting their first series of vaccinations. It is a good time to examine the mouth again for any abnormalities and to make sure the deciduous (baby) teeth are erupting in a normal fashion.
Comprehensive Examination
Dental exams should be done at least on a yearly basis. After five years, a horse's mouth is considered to be mature, in the sense that all the teeth are permanent. If routine exams have been done up to this point, abnormalities such as wave mouth or hooks should be minimal and easily corrected and maintained.
Periodontal disease can be one of the most painful and potentially debilitating dental conditions for a horse. It generally becomes more common as a horse gets older, but young horses can be affected also. If caught in its early stages, treatment can be very successful, often reversing or eliminating the condition altogether. If allowed to progress without treatment, however, severe