Equine Dental Clinic Ltd

10/06/2026

What exactly is equine endodontics?

In simple terms, it is the treatment of disease inside a tooth.

The dark structure shown in the final image was removed from deep within the pulp cavity of this horse’s cheek tooth. Once bacteria gain access to the pulp through a fracture, cavity or other defect, infection can develop within the tooth itself.

Traditionally, extraction was often the only option. Modern endodontic techniques allow us to access these tiny pulp canals, remove infected material, disinfect the tooth and restore it, with the aim of preserving a functional tooth rather than removing it.

The images show:
• The affected tooth on radiographs - with endodontic files placed to the root tip during the procedure
• Access to the diseased pulp canals
• Specialist instruments used during treatment with pulp tissue ‘grasped’ from within the canal
• Infected pulp material removed from the instrument

Not every tooth can be saved, but in carefully selected cases endodontic treatment can offer an alternative to extraction and help maintain normal chewing function for years to come.

10/06/2026

A fascinating view inside the equine paranasal sinuses.

Using a very small diameter flexible endoscope, it is often possible to pass through the natural opening between the nasal cavity and sinus system, allowing examination of the sinuses without creating a surgical portal.

In this video, the light from the endoscope can be seen shining through the tissues of the head as the scope is advanced within the sinus compartments.

Transnasal sinoscopy is one of the many advanced diagnostic techniques we use when investigating sinus disease, nasal discharge and other upper respiratory tract disorders in horses.

Many cases are primarily dental cases with associated sinus disorders - this lovely big horse was referred to us for investigation and management of ongoing sinus disease following previous surgery. He’s a lovely character and as you can see with a little light sedation is tolerating this procedure very well!

dentistry

03/06/2026

So what did our friend here have some 8 years ago? If you said EOTRH then yes, correct! We extracted all of his incisor teeth due to this nasty progressive immune mediated disease and he’s never looked back! The tongue ‘poking out’ a little is a common effect of having no front teeth - it doesn’t always happen but we always warn owners of the possibility. Most owners say it looks cute!

The reason the tongue protrudes often is due partly to the incisors not being there to support the tongue in the oral cavity, but also due to it becoming more active and muscular following EOTRH surgery. How well did this chap eat after surgery? Well, like a horse according to his owner - but actually like a cow or sheep would be a better description. Cows and sheep have no upper incisors and graze soft grass using the tongue and upper pad - just how horses learn to graze after EOTRH surgery. Not all cases of EOTRH require full extractions immediately but it is a progressive disease (with no long term proven beneficial treatments available - anyone who says otherwise will get a stern response!) and many require extractions in the end.

The good news is, as you can see from these images, horses function incredibly well following EOTRH surgery and manage extremely well, usually becoming much happier!

If you’re an owner of a horse with EOTRH and you’re worried about potential surgery, check out our Facebook group on EOTRH linked below - you’ll find all sorts of owner experiences and helpful stories. You can also always message us for some friendly professional advice.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CwpHAYH9v/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/06/2026

Who has an idea what problem this lovely boy has had with his teeth? He eats really well now, grazes normally and looks amazing for 26 years old! (it was about 8 years ago now!)

02/06/2026

Summer is here and the grass is lush - but once the winter comes your horse needs optimum dentition - the earlier the better for detecting problems and diagnosing dental disease :)

🦷 Horses can be incredibly good at hiding dental pain.

They’ll keep eating. Keep working. Keep carrying on. But underneath, discomfort and disease can quietly worsen over time.

Undiagnosed dental problems are a major welfare concern, and signs often don’t appear until the issue has become much more serious. That’s why regular dental checks matter so much 🙏

Learn more about:
🔍 The subtle signs to look out for
🐴 How dental pain can affect comfort and performance
🩺 What should happen during a dental examination
📅 Why routine checks are so important

🎥 Plus, watch our No Pain? Check Again Dental webinar with equine dental experts.

Read and watch here ➡️ https://bit.ly/46QSFJ4

📷 Equine Dental Clinic Ltd

01/06/2026

13/05/2026

Equine Dental CPD - EDC Key Skillls 2

We still have a few places remaining on our Key Skills 2 CPD course this June.

This comprehensive three-day course for veterinary surgeons is designed to help you work up equine dental cases in a more controlled, structured and confident way.

The course is based around cases being worked up in a structured way, encouraging delegates to take the lead in assessing dental pathology, making diagnoses and planning appropriate treatment.

Topics include:

• Diagnostic approach and clinical decision-making
• Oroscopic and radiographic assessment
• Progression and significance of dental pathology
• A full day on equine periodontal disease and diastemata management
• Basic surgical treatment principles

This course is also highly relevant for anyone working towards the RCVS CertAVP(ED) advanced practitioner qualification.

Places are limited, so please contact us to book or find out more.

13/05/2026

No teeth - no problem!

What a lovely report from Tim Price about one of his top-level event horses following surgery earlier this year.

One of our specialists Dr Nicole du Toit performed extraction of all of the horse’s upper incisors here at EDC and it is so great to hear firsthand how well he has recovered and returned to competition.

As Tim mentioned, the horse occasionally protrudes his tongue - something we do see sometimes following incisor extractions for this condition - but importantly he is comfortable, eating well and continuing to perform at a high level in international eventing.

Many owners understandably worry when major dental surgery is recommended, particularly involving extraction of the incisors, but horses can adapt remarkably well when chronic pain and inflammation are removed. In many cases quality of life and even athletic performance can improve significantly following treatment.

This horse was affected by EOTRH (equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis), a progressive and painful disease affecting the incisor and canine teeth of horses, most commonly older horses - clinical signs vary and many horses are extremely stoic and significant disease may be present before obvious signs are noticed.

We are so pleased to hear such a positive update from Tim and we wish the team the best for the season ahead!

30/04/2026

EDC Key Skills 2 – Taking your dentistry to the next level

Designed specifically for veterinary surgeons, this 3-day practical course is aimed at those looking to advance their equine dentistry, develop confidence in more complex cases, and take a leading role within their practice.

Over three days, we focus on working cases up within a clinical setting, with particular emphasis on:

• Diagnostic approach to dental cases
• Oroscopic examination and interpretation
• Radiographic techniques and improving image quality
• Understanding the progression of dental pathology
• A full day dedicated to periodontal disease and diastemata
• Practical techniques in diastema management
• Introduction to basic incisor and cheek-tooth extraction

Teaching is delivered in small groups (max 16 delegates), with a strong focus on hands-on practical training and real clinical decision-making.

This course covers the core knowledge required for the RCVS Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Dentistry (CertAVP(ED)), and is essential for anyone preparing for the exam or aiming to become the dental lead within their practice.

📅 June 10–12 (inclusive)
📍 Equine Dental Clinic, Dorset
📌 Places still available

👉 Book now:
equinedentalclinic.co.uk/cpd

07/04/2026

*Busy week at EDC HQ 🐴🦷*

Last week specialist vet, Nicole had a super busy week including many sinus infection cases. Of course, she had a lot of help from our super team of vets (Jane, Nicola, Matas and Matt) and nurses (Emma, Jess and Sophie). Here is a selection of pictures of some of our lovely patients we had in last week 🥰