12/31/2019
"A Drum Of Proof"
Extraction of teeth in horses can be a challenging and traumatic procedure. In the past it has required surgery under general anesthesia, and many veterinarians and horse owners do not realize there is an alternative. The purpose of this article is to help educate owners, dental providers, and veterinarians on how safe and effective intra-oral extractions can be.
In the last month I have heard about two horses that were euthanized because their owners were unable to pay for expensive surgical procedures to remove teeth. I frequently receive phone calls just like the one I received a few weeks ago about a horse that needed to be subjected to a surgical procedure to remove a tooth. In talking to the owner, I was informed that there was no attempt to extract the tooth by any method other than the suggested surgery. The owner was told it would be impossible to orally extract the tooth. After talking to the veterinarian we decided to attempt an intra-oral extraction first, and including nerve blocks and post-procedure care, the intra-oral extraction of the tooth was accomplished in less than one hour.
When I first started in the equine dental business I received frequent calls from horse owners stating, “I wish you could have helped my other horse. I had to have him put down.” The reason was because the surgery was too expensive or the procedure was going to be too hard on the horse due to age or overall health. For a number of years, molar teeth were removed by drilling a hole through the maxilla (skull) above the tooth for an upper molar or through the mandible (jawbone) for a lower tooth. The tooth was then driven from its socket into the mouth with a hammer and punch. This procedure would be done under general anesthesia (the horse was laid down), and it could often be a traumatic and nasty procedure with aftercare that could be difficult and extensive. When these cases are referred to me, I always initially attempt an intra-oral extraction. Many cases were successfully performed saving the horse owner money, reducing stress and trauma to the horse, and speeding recovery from the extraction. This is not to state that all teeth can be extracted intra-orally, but many can be.
A few years ago I was having lunch with Dr. Gary White who related his experience with surgically extracting teeth. Dr. White agreed it was not a good experience for the horse or for the veterinarian, but at the time surgical extraction was the only way. I asked Dr. White why intra-oral extractions weren’t done, and his answer was simple and one I won’t forget. Dr. White said, “We didn’t have the information or the instrumentation.” Today at Dr. White’s clinic, intra-oral extractions are the only extractions done.
I started filling a bucket last November of extracted teeth that I had collected and kept in little boxes and containers, stored over the past year. The amount overflowed into another bucket. The buckets contain caps (baby teeth), some wolf teeth, a lot of geriatric extracted teeth, fractured teeth, and infected and abscessed teeth. Several hundred horses donated to the pile, about 300 of them had what I consider major dental extractions. But only about 20 of these horses required a surgical procedure to remove the affected tooth/teeth. That’s All! The rest of the teeth were extracted through the mouth with specialized instruments.
There are two different surgical procedures used for the small percentage of horses having teeth that could not be extracted intra-orally. One is called a buccotomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure used as a second step. As a third step, and for the smallest number of the horses, the full hammer and punch repulsion procedure was done, but both of these surgical procedures Were done on standing, sedated horses. And All major extractions were done after consultation with and in the presence of a knowledgeable veterinarian and after radiographs were taken and viewed.
These extractions and this article would not be possible if it weren't for the knowledgeable on their toes Veterinarians, EDP's, and horse professionals who refer horses and work with us on a regular basis, it takes a team of dedicated and humble professional to make this kind of a difference. I truly admire and appreciate all of them for their contributions.
Making a difference one horse at a time!
Certified and Licensed equine dental provider for OK and TX. Provide a complete mobile equine dental
