Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Cheek Tooth or Molar, Fractured or Broken
Summary
Fractures of the cheek teeth crowns occurs rarely in horses. While traumatic injury can result in a fracture, usually there is underlying dental disease that contributes to it. Often the fractured tooth has been weakened by infection or abnormal wear from poor occlusion.
Small fractures of the grinding surface may not cause any problem and may simply be monitored. However, deeper fractures may require veterinary attention. They may involve the deeper structures of the tooth (pulp cavities), allowing bacterial infection of the root and result in the death of the tooth.
Often, cracked crowns are "incidental findings" on a careful dental exam. In other cases, they are discovered after a horse shows clinical signs of nasal discharge, head swelling or difficulty eating.
Diagnosis requires a thorough dental exam, with good light and a mirror. Radiographs are often needed. In some cases, advanced imaging like CT is required to fully understand the extent of a fracture and the resulting dental disease.
Treatment depends on severity of crack and the associated disease. Often dental extraction is required.
Small fractures of the grinding surface may not cause any problem and may simply be monitored. However, deeper fractures may require veterinary attention. They may involve the deeper structures of the tooth (pulp cavities), allowing bacterial infection of the root and result in the death of the tooth.
Often, cracked crowns are "incidental findings" on a careful dental exam. In other cases, they are discovered after a horse shows clinical signs of nasal discharge, head swelling or difficulty eating.
Diagnosis requires a thorough dental exam, with good light and a mirror. Radiographs are often needed. In some cases, advanced imaging like CT is required to fully understand the extent of a fracture and the resulting dental disease.
Treatment depends on severity of crack and the associated disease. Often dental extraction is required.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis depends on the severity and characteristics of the crack and whether or not infection is present.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Does the tooth need to be removed?
- Should I expect to see any problems caused by this crack?
Prevention
Horses with good mouths are less likely to have dental problems. So prevention starts with selection of good horses. Oral and dental exam are part of a veterinary pre-purchase exam.
Routine dental assessment and management may reduce the likelihood of abnormal wear in the mouth and weakening of teeth.
Small tooth fractures should be detected and treated before they progress to more serious dental infection.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
