Midwest Equine Services focuses on equine dentistry.  We provide all aspects of equine dentistry from routine dentals to advanced dentistry such as fillings, endodontics, periodontal therapies, and oral surgery. We are an ambulatory practice, that travels throughout the midwest. We are capable of providing services either on the farm or at various equine veterinary clinics.

Dr Henry is using a mirror in this horse's mouth while completing an oral exam.

Routine Dentistry

We believe that good sedation, combined with a clean mouth and proper equipment are key elements of a good thorough dental.

A good thorough dental exam should be done at least once a year for most adult horses. In some horses, we recommend dental work to be done every six months. 

Oral Exam 
Routine Dentistry is not just removing sharp points from your horses teeth anymore. Midwest Equine Services believes that an essential part of dentistry is a thorough oral exam. We believe that it is important to look for any possible problems in your horses mouth, from soft tissue injury or ulceration, or retained deciduous (baby) teeth to fractured teeth, and decay. Any pathologies or problems that may be found during an oral exam will be noted and addressed with the owner. 

Dr. Henry is using a Makita Reciprocating Float to effectively work in the back of the mouth.

Floating/Equillibration
During the exam we also carefully evaluate points, which horses normally get, and excessive points which may be present in order to determine how to effectively float and balance each individual horse's mouth. The equipment that we use in each horse's mouth is designed to be safe and effective.

A restoration of an equine tooth, seen on a followup exam.

Restorations/Fillings and Endodontics

Horses can have decay happen to their teeth, similar to people, which can cause cavities or exposure to the vital potion of the tooth, the pulp, which may potentially lead to the fracturing of a tooth and/or other problems. We look for these things during an oral exam and if decay is found we will evaluate it, we may radiograph it, and we would determine if a restoration is needed to prevent further decay. We are equipped for and have experience in doing restorations, such as fillings of cavities or endodontics when the pulp is involved. We use equipment and materials similar to what might be used in your own dental office.

Periodontal Unit

Periodontal Therapies

Horses can get periodontal disease (gum disease). This may occur for various reasons. Equine teeth are unique in that they continuously erupt into the mouth. For this reason equine teeth rarely build up enough plaque or calculus to cause periodontal issues. However, most cases of periodontal problems in the equine mouth are due to food packing in areas between or among the teeth where it begins to decompose. This process is the primary event which triggers periodontal disease in the horse. 

Periodontal disease is something that we look for and monitor during an oral exam. In cases where treatment is needed, we are capable of providing therapies to slow or stop the progression of this painful condition. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss.

Oral Surgery

Basic Extractions
Examples of basic extractions include wolf tooth removal or retained cap (deciduous or baby tooth) removal.

Advanced Extractions
A horse may need a tooth extracted for many reasons. Teeth may need to be removed due to severe decay advanced periodontal disease, or they may have broken in a way in which they can not be repaired.

Sinus Surgery 
With some severe dental problems, the sinus may also be involved. When this occurs we may need to evaluate the sinus using diagnostic tools, such as radiographs or an endoscope, to determine what action must be taken. When the sinus is affected it is commonly secondary to an infected tooth.