FAQ

Will this procedure hurt or be painful to my horse?
- While I would consider the procedure 'uncomfortable', I would not consider it painful. In fact,
it is my opinion that the great majority of horses are much more comfortable after the
procedure. One of the drugs I use during the sedation is an excellent analgesic, and that
prevents most horses from being sore. Dentistry should NOT be a 'bloody' event. Of
course, if your horse has teeth extracted, this may not apply.

Will my horse need to be sedated for his dentistry? - And is it safe?
- Yes, all horses will need to be sedated for proper oral examination and dentistry. However,
your horse will be examined first, and great care will be exercised in the choice and amount of
sedation used. Should your horse have a heart murmur, or some other problem which would
preclude safe sedation, it will be discussed at that time. The goal is to have him sedated
enough to tolerate the procedure (which, while uncomfortable, is not painful) but awake
enough to stand solidly and walk out of the stall when we are finished. Every horse is an
individual, and will be dosed accordingly. If you have had any previous experience sedating
your horse, and can offer me any information regarding dose (ie - last time he was very light
with his drugs...) it is extremely helpful.

I have read about power instruments, and am concerned - would hand
floating not be better?
- There are many articles written about the dangers of power equipment - and for good
reason. In the wrong hands, power equipment can be very dangerous. However, with proper
care, they are by far the better choice for use in performance dentistry. I use the more
expensive Blue Diamond Chip coated burrs. These offer a more precise cutting surface with
lower vibration than the older/less expensive carbide burrs. Each tooth can be addressed
individually, and there is little or no trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth. The older method
of hand floating can be very traumatic both to the tissues and the horse. Thermal trauma
from heat from the power instrument is only a problem if the operator is unskilled, and keeps
it on a tooth too long. Repeated flushing with cold water is an extremely effective in totally
eliminating thermal trauma.

What is the difference between a 'lay dentists' a 'veterinarian' and a
'veterinary dentist'?
- a 'lay dentist' is an individual who practices dentistry, but is not a veterinarian. While there
are many fine lay dentists out there, this is a felony in the State of Georgia. All lay dentists
MUST work with a veterinarian. They are not trained to administer sedation, there is no
regulatory or disciplinary board governing them, and in the event of an emergency - they are
not equipped nor educated enough to assist your horse. Many veterinarians practice
dentistry because they own a 'powerfloat'. Owning an instrument does not imply ability to use
it properly. I personally have over $50,000 tied up in equipment, attend dentistry
conferences yearly or more often, and routinely consult with veterinary dentists who have
even more experience than I do. The bottom line is: Get referrals before you have someone
work on your horse's mouth. And - ASK QUESTIONS!!

Can horses be 'overfloated'?
- YES! Overly aggressive dentistry can negatively affect the viability (or life) of the tooth. Not
all malocclusions can be fixed at one time. They may have taken years to occur - they will
certainly take at least a year or more of routinely scheduled dentistry to correct.