Equine Dentistry
At Salem Valley Veterinary Clinic, as passionate advocates for equine health and wellness, we understand the vital role that proper dental care plays in the overall well-being of your beloved horses.
Discover Equine Dental Care Excellence
At Salem Valley Veterinary Clinic in Salem, CT, our veterinary clinic is a beacon of excellent service and dedication to your horse’s well-being. Trust us with the comprehensive care of your horse’s oral health, and witness the difference expertise makes.
Under the guidance of Dr. Robert Baratt, a founding Diplomate in Equine Dentistry recognized by the American Veterinary Dental College, our experienced team ensures unparalleled precision and knowledge in every procedure.
From routine floating to advanced dental services, we personalize our treatments to prioritize your horse’s comfort and long-term vitality. Don’t let dental issues diminish your horse’s quality of life. Choose Salem Valley Veterinary Clinic for the epitome of equine dental care. Together, let’s brighten your horse’s smile and enrich their life.
Equine Dental Services We Offer
The equine dental services that are available include:
- Oral endoscopic examination: A detailed tooth-by-tooth examination is possible with video endoscopy, and the horse owner can watch the film in real time.
- Digital radiographic examination of the dentition and related sinuses: Dr. Baratt has developed novel radiographic techniques and has published and lectured widely on equine dental radiography.
- Routine removal of sharp enamel points and focal overgrowth of cheek teeth: Commonly referred to as “floating teeth.” Odontoplasty is conservatively performed to maintain proper occlusion, prolonging tooth longevity and providing the performance horse with a comfortable mouth.
- Oral and surgical extraction of diseased teeth: Most extractions, even those requiring a surgical approach, can be performed with local anesthesia in the sedated, standing horse. Depending on the circumstances, the extraction may be performed on the farm or in the hospital. When dental disease is not readily identified as the cause of facial swelling or nasal discharge, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be needed for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Equine Dentistry Advancements
Recent advances in equine dentistry have improved our ability to perform oral extractions and Minimally Invasive Transbuccal Extractions (MITBE). Dr. Baratt has invested in purchasing new instrumentation and training necessary for achieving these techniques, which permit oral extraction of the cheek tooth without having to use repulsion, which is associated with a significantly higher rate of post-extraction complications.
- Coronectomy: This procedure involves removing some of the crown and reserve crowns of the cheek tooth with a right-angled, motorized sectioning bur. The cheek tooth can be more readily loosened and orally extracted by creating additional space.
- Tooth Sectioning: The sectioning bur can divide the cheek tooth into smaller, single-rooted fragments to facilitate oral extraction. This is especially useful when the roots are divergent.
- MITBE: In this technique, a small portal is made in the cheek, which allows straight-line access to the cheek tooth (rather than using long right-angled instruments). This technique is beneficial for cases where the diseased tooth to be extracted has no crown to grasp with molar forceps. Instead, a threaded pin is screwed into the tooth and used to pull the tooth into the oral cavity. It precludes the need for repulsion of the tooth, a technique with a high incidence of complications.