34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction
Geriatric equids often suffer from dental conditions that impair their ability to eat, with 95.4% affected in one study. Understanding the aging process and common dental diseases in geriatric horses aids in planning investigations, treatments (extractions or otherwise), and prognoses. Concurrent conditions like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) or degenerative joint disease should also be considered.

Common Dental Conditions in geriatrics
Smooth Mouth
Hypsodont teeth wear down over time, leading to ineffective mastication and the need for dietary adjustments.

Loose Teeth
Age-related periodontal changes eventually cause teeth to loosen, often requiring extraction due to discomfort.

Missing Teeth
Lost teeth lead to overgrowth of opposing teeth, necessitating reduction to maintain normal mastication.

Diastemata
Spaces between teeth can trap food, causing periodontal disease. Bridges can help manage these in older horses.

Oro-antral Fistulation
Deep periodontal disease can cause fistulas, requiring removal of impacted food and sometimes tooth extraction.

Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH)
This condition affects incisors and canines, causing pain and loosening. Extraction often improves symptoms.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disease
TMJ disease can cause dysmastication and may require minimizing oral speculum use and post-dentistry anti-inflammatories.

Investigation and Treatment Considerations
Geriatric animals may resist dental treatments due to oral pain. Evaluating incisors for pain and using local anesthetics or nerve blocks can improve compliance. Sedated older animals may experience ataxia, making support essential during examinations. Interpreting dental radiographs in geriatric animals is challenging due to age-related changes.

Dietary Considerations
As mastication ability declines, diets should be modified to prevent choking and gastrointestinal issues. Chopped forage and pelleted feed alternatives can be helpful, though more costly. Most animals can continue grazing grass. Online resources provide feeding and management tips for senior horses.

Conclusion
Geriatric horses present a spectrum of dental health challenges that require thoughtful management. While retaining functional teeth is undoubtedly beneficial, horses can adapt to toothless life with appropriate nutritional support and care. The question of whether they are better with or without teeth ultimately hinges on their individual circumstances, the quality of care provided, and the commitment of their caretakers.

References

1. Ireland JL, et al. (2012). Disease prevalence in geriatric horses in the UK. Equine Vet J, 44(1), 101-6.
2. Dixon PM, et al. (2022). Equine Dental Anatomy. In: Equine Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chapter 5, 58-98.
3. Staszyk C, et al. (2006). Collagen fibre architecture of the periodontal ligament in equine cheek teeth. J Vet Dentistry, 23, 143-147.
4. [https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/feeding-senior-horse](https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/feeding-senior-horse).