This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Equine Dentistry »
  Discussion on Broken Tooth on TB Colt
Author Message
Member:
andym

Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 9:07 pm:

Dr O,
I have a just turned 4 yr old TB gelding who broke a tooth yesterday. He's stabled at a good trainer's and was out yesterday in a large paddock with three other geldings. Somehow, he snagged a tooth on something - maybe a fence or ? - but no indication of a kick or other bruise to the face. When noticed, the tooth was broken at the gum line and, although still in his mouth, was laying horizontal. A vet was called who came promptly. He examined but said it couldn't be saved and was OK'd to remove it all which he did. I was not there but what they did was the right and only thing to do.
The tooth was located on the horse's lower left jaw and ahead of the premolars but before the incisors. I was told that the vet described it as a "baby" tooth and said it would "grow in". I know we had his wolf teeth removed last year and I'm inclined to think that he meant the gum would grow in, not the tooth which is what the barn manager thought. I'm also inclined to think it's a canine tooth. I have read your Article on Dentistry and several of the Discussions but can't confirm that by the side view of the jaw in that article. I was assured it's not an incisor or cap so what else could it be. If so, a canine tooth would not regrow, would it?
Finally, if it was a canine tooth,and if there is one also on his right jaw,would it make sense to remove that one also ? Seems to me it might cause a bit problem if only one is left.
Thanks for your thoughts.
andym
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:31 am:

Hmmm that is a bit of a quandary, it sounds like he is describing a canine yet there is no deciduous (baby) canine. Maybe he is saying it is not fully erupted so more tooth will grow in? You will have to call him on this.

I do not see a need to remove the opposite canine if indeed the tooth we are talking about.
DrO
Member:
andym

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 2, 2010 - 9:07 am:

Dr O,
I'm going to see my gelding today and see for myself the position of the broken removed tooth. In preparation, I'm looking at the Anatomy section of the above article. The diagram says "upper jaw on left and lower jaw on right". It also says no wolf teeth in this specimen. "c" teeth are canine and shown in upper jaw. Is that correct ? "b" teeth are shown in lower jaw between incisors and pre molars but not identified. What are they ?
Thanks
Andym
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 2, 2010 - 5:16 pm:

Andy,
Yes those labelled "C" are the canines and the ones next to the b in the adjacent image are the lower canines. Noter the sharp tooth just in front of the premolars in the side view, that is a wolf tooth, and a unusually large one at that.
DrO
Member:
andym

Posted on Monday, Jun 7, 2010 - 1:46 pm:

Dr}O
I finally got to go see my gelding and his missing tooth. It was not a canine tooth, but was an incisor. Third from center on his lower left jaw. They had the tooth which has a whole single root with a small slivver of bone attached. At 4 years old, I don't think it's a baby tooth and doubt there will be any re-growth. It is healing well and I don't think it will be of future concern.
I also noted by exam that he has no canine teeth yet but I could feel a small bump which may indicate one is ready to erupt.

Thanks for your response,
Andym
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 7, 2010 - 7:02 pm:

Ummm Andy this toothe is replaced at around 4 years of age, so you describe a normal occurance. Restudy those diagrams and time of replacement.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC