Dental Restoration

Dental restorations are modern veterinary techniques aimed at preserving diseased or damaged teeth — keeping them functional, pain-free, and stable. Unlike earlier practices where problematic teeth were often extracted, today’s advanced methods allow for long-term tooth preservation, improving your horse’s quality of life.

Table of Contents:

Causes

  • Infundibular hypoplasia (a congenital structural defect)
  • Food entrapment in cavities
  • Caries (especially infundibular caries in upper cheek teeth)
  • Pulpitis (inflammation of the tooth’s pulp cavity)
  • Fractures due to overload or weakened dental structures

Symptoms

  • Resistance when ridden
  • Unilateral nasal discharge
  • Bad breath
  • Chewing problems, selective chewing
  • Weight loss
  • Excessive salivation

Course of Disease

If untreated, caries or pulp infections can lead to deep structural damage. Potential complications include:

  • Tooth fractures
  • Root infections
  • Fistula formation
  • Secondary sinus infections
  • Pain-related behavior changes

Diagnosis

  • Clinical oral exam using a speculum and intraoral endoscopy
  • Dental probing
  • Dental X-rays or Dental CT
  • Thermal sensitivity and percussion testing
  • Assessment for infundibular caries, hypoplasia, or endodontic lesions

Treatment

Treatment depends on the specific pathology:

1. Dental Fillings

  • For cavities or surface defects
  • Cleaning and disinfecting the cavity
  • Filling with biocompatible materials

2. Endodontic Therapy

  • For pulp involvement or root infections
  • Access, clean-out, and irrigation of pulp cavity
  • Sterile filling and sealing
  • (Comparable to root canal therapy in humans)

3. Reconstruction After Fracture

  • Partial tooth preservation possible
  • Alternatively: segmental extraction with chewing surface reconstruction

All procedures are performed under strict sterile conditions, usually under sedation or short anesthesia.

Prognosis

  • Excellent if diagnosed early
  • Full function often restored
  • Long-term tooth retention possible with follow-up care
  • Poor technique or advanced lesions can lead to failure — treatments should only be performed in specialized clinics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is tooth decay really common in horses?

Yes. Especially infundibular caries in the upper cheek teeth is widespread — even in younger horses. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Does every diseased tooth need to be removed?

No. With modern techniques, many affected teeth can be restored and preserved. Extraction is now a last resort in severe or irreversible cases.

Is dental restoration painful for the horse?

No. Procedures are performed under sedation and local anesthesia. In endodontic treatments, the pulp cavity is completely desensitized during the process.

Dental restorations are modern veterinary techniques aimed at preserving diseased or damaged teeth — keeping them functional, pain-free, and stable. Unlike earlier practices where problematic teeth were often extracted, today’s advanced methods allow for long-term tooth preservation, improving your horse’s quality of life.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Is tooth decay really common in horses?

Yes. Especially infundibular caries in the upper cheek teeth is widespread — even in younger horses. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Does every diseased tooth need to be removed?

No. With modern techniques, many affected teeth can be restored and preserved. Extraction is now a last resort in severe or irreversible cases.

Is dental restoration painful for the horse?

No. Procedures are performed under sedation and local anesthesia. In endodontic treatments, the pulp cavity is completely desensitized during the process.

Make an Appointment

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 - 5946340
Opening Hours

Please note our separate visiting hours.

Monday – Friday
8:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Besuchszeiten

Bitte vereinbaren Sie einen Besuchstermin im Voraus. Planen Sie etwa 1 Stunde ein und berühre bitte nur dein eigenes Pferd.

Monday – Friday
10:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Emergency Service – Open 24/7

Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.

Call us:
+49 4282 - 5946 340
Appointment Image

Make an Appointment

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 340
Opening Hours

Please note our separate visiting hours.

Monday – Friday
8:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Besuchszeiten

Please schedule your visit in advance. Allow approximately 1 hour, and kindly only touch your own horse.

Monday – Friday
8:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Emergency Service
Open 24/7

Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.

Appointment Image

Make an Appointment

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 340
Opening Hours

Please note our separate visiting hours.

Monday – Friday
8:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Besuchszeiten

Bitte vereinbare einen Besuchstermin im Voraus. Plane  etwa 1 Stunde ein und berühre bitte nur dein eigenes Pferd.

Monday – Friday
10:00 – 18:00
Saturday
9:00 – 12:00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed
Emergency Service – Open 24/7

Our clinic is available around the clock for emergencies.In case of an emergency, please call us immediately.

Call us:
+49 4282 - 5946 340
Appointment Image