Equine cheek teeth are highly specialized structures designed for continuous grinding of fibrous feed. Each cheek tooth consists of three main parts: the clinical crown, which is visible in the mouth, the reserve crown, which has not yet erupted, and the tooth root.
Unlike human teeth, equine teeth have a complex internal structure composed of cementum, enamel, dentin and pulp. These tissues are not arranged concentrically but form folded layers. The outer cementum blends into enamel, the hardest substance, which creates the rough grinding surface. Dentin surrounds the pulp cavity, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
A unique feature of equine cheek teeth is the presence of infundibula, also known as enamel cups. In cheek teeth, these structures are usually completely filled with infundibular cement. In contrast, the enamel cups of the incisors remain largely hollow. Incomplete cement filling of the infundibula can predispose horses to infundibular caries.
Due to constant wear during chewing, cheek teeth abrade by approximately 2 to 4 millimeters per year. In horses younger than seven years, wear can be even more pronounced. Each quadrant of the jaw contains three premolars and three molars, forming continuous chewing surfaces that stabilize one another. Only the premolars have deciduous predecessors.
From the first day of life, foals already have four deciduous incisors and twelve deciduous cheek teeth. Additional deciduous incisors usually erupt between three and four months of age.
Tooth replacement in horses occurs gradually:
During tooth eruption, temporary bony swellings of the jaw, often called bumps, may become visible. These are usually harmless and resolve once the tooth has fully erupted. If a retained deciduous cap becomes trapped, it may delay eruption and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Wolf teeth are rudimentary first premolars that are most commonly found in the upper jaw and only rarely in the lower jaw. They usually erupt during the first year of life but may also remain embedded beneath the gum.
Non erupted wolf teeth in particular can cause discomfort when a bit is used. Because they are often only loosely attached, wolf teeth are commonly detected and removed during the first dental examination before a young horse is started under saddle. This helps prevent negative experiences associated with the bit.
Regular dental examinations are an essential component of equine health care. Young horses, whose teeth wear more rapidly, should ideally be examined every six months until the age of seven. At a minimum, an annual dental check is recommended for all horses.
For a thorough examination, sedation is required. With the use of a full mouth speculum and adequate lighting, all areas of the oral cavity can be reliably assessed. Visual inspection of an unsedated horse is usually insufficient, as only the most anterior premolars can be evaluated.
Sharp enamel points
Due to the natural chewing pattern of horses, sharp edges develop on the outer surfaces of upper cheek teeth and the inner surfaces of lower cheek teeth. These can affect rideability and cause injuries to the cheek mucosa and tongue. During dental treatment, these edges are carefully rounded to prevent trauma.
Hooks and overgrowths
These develop when opposing teeth are missing and can significantly restrict normal chewing motion.
Ramps and waves
Often incidental findings, but they require regular correction to maintain effective feed intake.
Periodontal disease and diastemata
Enlarged gaps between cheek teeth allow feed to become trapped, leading to inflammation, gum recession and severe pain. In advanced cases, root or jaw infections may develop. Treatment requires close monitoring and may include cleaning or filling periodontal pockets or reshaping cheek teeth to allow feed to escape and promote healing.
Cheek tooth fractures and slab fractures
Partial crown fractures or complete sagittal fractures are frequently incidental findings. Affected teeth often need to be extracted to restore comfortable chewing.
Cheek tooth extraction in the standing sedated horse
Procedure duration is often several hours.
The younger the horse, the longer the reserve crown and the more challenging the extraction. Long standing inflammation can weaken the tooth structure, making removal in multiple fragments necessary.
Horses may be hospitalized following tooth extraction but can often return home the same day with appropriate care. Follow up examinations are typically performed on an outpatient basis.
A horse has a total of 24 cheek teeth.
Hospitalization is only necessary after particularly complex extractions. In most cases, horses can return home after the procedure.
No. Cheek tooth extractions are performed on the standing, sedated horse.
Equine cheek teeth are highly specialized structures designed for continuous grinding of fibrous feed. Each cheek tooth consists of three main parts: the clinical crown, which is visible in the mouth, the reserve crown, which has not yet erupted, and the tooth root.
Unlike human teeth, equine teeth have a complex internal structure composed of cementum, enamel, dentin and pulp. These tissues are not arranged concentrically but form folded layers. The outer cementum blends into enamel, the hardest substance, which creates the rough grinding surface. Dentin surrounds the pulp cavity, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
A unique feature of equine cheek teeth is the presence of infundibula, also known as enamel cups. In cheek teeth, these structures are usually completely filled with infundibular cement. In contrast, the enamel cups of the incisors remain largely hollow. Incomplete cement filling of the infundibula can predispose horses to infundibular caries.
Due to constant wear during chewing, cheek teeth abrade by approximately 2 to 4 millimeters per year. In horses younger than seven years, wear can be even more pronounced. Each quadrant of the jaw contains three premolars and three molars, forming continuous chewing surfaces that stabilize one another. Only the premolars have deciduous predecessors.
From the first day of life, foals already have four deciduous incisors and twelve deciduous cheek teeth. Additional deciduous incisors usually erupt between three and four months of age.
Tooth replacement in horses occurs gradually:
During tooth eruption, temporary bony swellings of the jaw, often called bumps, may become visible. These are usually harmless and resolve once the tooth has fully erupted. If a retained deciduous cap becomes trapped, it may delay eruption and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Wolf teeth are rudimentary first premolars that are most commonly found in the upper jaw and only rarely in the lower jaw. They usually erupt during the first year of life but may also remain embedded beneath the gum.
Non erupted wolf teeth in particular can cause discomfort when a bit is used. Because they are often only loosely attached, wolf teeth are commonly detected and removed during the first dental examination before a young horse is started under saddle. This helps prevent negative experiences associated with the bit.
Regular dental examinations are an essential component of equine health care. Young horses, whose teeth wear more rapidly, should ideally be examined every six months until the age of seven. At a minimum, an annual dental check is recommended for all horses.
For a thorough examination, sedation is required. With the use of a full mouth speculum and adequate lighting, all areas of the oral cavity can be reliably assessed. Visual inspection of an unsedated horse is usually insufficient, as only the most anterior premolars can be evaluated.
Sharp enamel points
Due to the natural chewing pattern of horses, sharp edges develop on the outer surfaces of upper cheek teeth and the inner surfaces of lower cheek teeth. These can affect rideability and cause injuries to the cheek mucosa and tongue. During dental treatment, these edges are carefully rounded to prevent trauma.
Hooks and overgrowths
These develop when opposing teeth are missing and can significantly restrict normal chewing motion.
Ramps and waves
Often incidental findings, but they require regular correction to maintain effective feed intake.
Periodontal disease and diastemata
Enlarged gaps between cheek teeth allow feed to become trapped, leading to inflammation, gum recession and severe pain. In advanced cases, root or jaw infections may develop. Treatment requires close monitoring and may include cleaning or filling periodontal pockets or reshaping cheek teeth to allow feed to escape and promote healing.
Cheek tooth fractures and slab fractures
Partial crown fractures or complete sagittal fractures are frequently incidental findings. Affected teeth often need to be extracted to restore comfortable chewing.
Cheek tooth extraction in the standing sedated horse
Procedure duration is often several hours.
The younger the horse, the longer the reserve crown and the more challenging the extraction. Long standing inflammation can weaken the tooth structure, making removal in multiple fragments necessary.
Horses may be hospitalized following tooth extraction but can often return home the same day with appropriate care. Follow up examinations are typically performed on an outpatient basis.
A horse has a total of 24 cheek teeth.
Hospitalization is only necessary after particularly complex extractions. In most cases, horses can return home after the procedure.
No. Cheek tooth extractions are performed on the standing, sedated horse.
We kindly ask you to schedule appointments by phone. This way, we can plan the best treatment for your horse individually and directly.
+49 4282 - 5946340Please note our separate visiting hours.
Bitte vereinbaren Sie einen Besuchstermin im Voraus. Planen Sie etwa 1 Stunde ein und berühre bitte nur dein eigenes Pferd.
Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.
We kindly ask you to schedule appointments by phone. This way, we can plan the best treatment for your horse individually and directly.
+49 4282 - 5946 340Please note our separate visiting hours.
Please schedule your visit in advance. Allow approximately 1 hour, and kindly only touch your own horse.
Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.
We kindly ask you to schedule appointments by phone. This way, we can plan the best treatment for your horse individually and directly.
+49 4282 - 5946 340Please note our separate visiting hours.
Bitte vereinbare einen Besuchstermin im Voraus. Plane etwa 1 Stunde ein und berühre bitte nur dein eigenes Pferd.
Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.
