What type of instruments does Dr. Smith use?
Main instruments used for correction of dental points and malocclusions (equilibration)
Dr. Smith uses primarily pneumatic dental instruments powered by an air compressor (on the truck) that allows safe, precise dental corrections with a minimum of stress on the patient or the teeth.
Advantages of pneumatic, short-stroke reciprocating instruments compared to electric power tools:
1. Much quieter
2. A lot less heat and dust
3. Greater visibility in the mouth
4. Smaller, thinner blades, allowing excellent access to the back of the mouth in all size mouths (mini to draft)
5. No danger of electric shock (electricity with water can be dangerous)
Pneumatic, short-stroke reciprocating instruments are atraumatic compared to hand floats and electric power tools, allowing for safe, rapid correction of dental points and malocclusions.
Why Veterinary Equine Dentistry? //
Why Use A Veterinarian Who Specializes In Equine Dentistry?
This is an individual who has spent additional time learning and perfecting the best techniques for evaluating and treating your horse, acquiring state of the art equipment and training that allows for a proper dental evaluation and precision corrections.
A veterinarian is trained to understand the relationship of form to function. In addition, a vet is able to safely sedate your horse to make sure that your horse receives the best treatment without pain or fear. He also has the drugs and expertise available to reverse the sedation immediately, if needed, and can administer antibiotics or pain medication when indicated. Dr. Smith performs a physical exam on your horse prior to sedation. He records a brief medical history, checks the teeth and mouth to determine if a horse needs dental work, listens to the heart and lungs, listens to the GI tract, checks the eyes, and gets a tape weight with a body condition score.
With your horse sedated, you will easily see into your horse's mouth along with the vet, become more aware of existing problems, and see the "befores" and "afters," making you a more knowledgeable horse owner. After the dental work is completed, Dr. Smith also checks the sheath of gelding and stallions for the presence of a bean since they are sedated, removing it if present.
Because Dr. Smith is a veterinarian, older horses and those requiring substantial work, as well as those exhibiting significant raw sores in their mouth (a common finding) may receive an injection of Banamine to ease any discomfort after their dental and make the horse more comfortable.
Don't All Veterinarians Do Teeth?
No. Many equine veterinarians have neither the interest in doing dental work nor the time, choosing to refer their clients to another vet who has spent the time studying dentistry and recent treatment advances, learning how to best address the dental concerns of the equine mouth. Dr. Smith will gladly address your horse's dental and oral health, discuss the nutritional needs of each patient, and answer your questions about your horse's teeth and their care.
Do "Horse Dentists" Do The Same Work As A Veterinarian?
Not really. The "horse dentists" are actually "dental technicians" not licensed by the state, with varying degrees of education. These individuals can't, by law, sedate your horse, which limits the type of equipment they can safely use. Although the first three molars are faily accessible, the three behind them are not. "Technicians" can only rely on manual restraint to work on the uncooperative patient, or you must pay a veterinarian to come sedate the horse, doubling the cost.
Dr. Smith is an experienced, license equine veterinarian who has chosen to specialize in dentistry, able to address all aspects of your horse's dental and oral health.