By Raymond Q. Hyde, DVM and Amy DoBranski, B.S., EqDT
My very first impression of Dr. Kerry Ridgway’s approach to chiropractics was the thorough understanding he had of the relationship between dental balance and the rest of the horse.
He always starts an exam with a thorough exam of the teeth, head and hyoid muscles and proceeds from there. He understands that any problems found there affect the biomechanics of the horse and, if not corrected, will lead to constant visits to retreat the same issues over and over again.
The following is a comparison of some major differences between whole mouth dentistry and natural balance beliefs.
Many dental practitioners use a combination of both hand tools and power tools during a dental visit. It shouldn’t be an “either-or” situation and the blanket condemnation of power tools by the natural balance dentistry movement is steeped in ignorance and lack of training.
Damage to the dentition is not a concern providing the practitioner has sufficient dental training and knows not to overheat the tooth or open the pulp chamber. The practitioners doing this sort of damage are not properly trained and aggressive dentistry using hand tools or power tools should always be avoided.
Power tools are not the culprit here. In many cases they are gentler than hand tools for making changes in the mouth. Power tools can offer more dexterity than hand tools depending on the type used.
For geriatric horses with short root structures, power tools offer a gentler way to balance the mouth without rocking the teeth back and forth (as with hand tools) and loosening the dentition, possibly resulting in the loss of teeth a few weeks after the dental visit. A spinning motorized dental instrument does not have this rocking effect.
Damage to the soft tissue with power tools seems to be a concern for the natural balance movement. The fact is you can do as much or more soft tissue damage with hand tools. When a dental practitioner works with power tools, he does so with a halogen headlight that illuminates the entire oral cavity well. He can see exactly which tooth he is addressing. Damage to the soft tissue is more likely with a practitioner with hand tools who can not see exactly where the tooth ends and the gum tissue begins. One swipe against the gumline does a good bit of damage.
While I am no advocate of the “10 Minute Power Float”, the efficiency of power tools results in a shorter work time. This equals more comfort for the horse in the form of fewer TMJ flare-ups by keeping the mouth open for minimal periods of time and accomplishing balance of the dentition in a more timely fashion.
Hand tools have been around for a long time but that doesn’t mean they “fit” the mouth better or are more “natural” than power tools. In the natural hoofcare movement we have seen many people start using power tools on the feet because it is more efficient.
Contrary to what the natural balance movement states, whole mouth dentistry does not ignore the incisors and their importance to maintaining a balanced mouth. Most horses start needing incisor reductions and corrections during their dental visits before the age of 10. Being domesticated means that horses don’t wear the incisors as much as they should in most cases due to lifestyle and horsekeeping practices, soft feeds, and tender hybrid grasses that are less abrasive to the teeth.
The upper and lower rows of teeth should have occlusion on all 24 cheek teeth, the 12 incisors, and the TMJ which is the “hinge” of the mouth.
While a head down position is favored by natural balance dentistry, working in a head neutral position is just as effective. Actually, when the mouth is properly balanced the teeth are free to move in ANY direction as the mandible and maxilla should have both lateral and anterior-posterior freedom of movement.
While hanging the head is not in the best interest of the horse’s neck and spine, there is nothing damaging or limiting by balancing the mouth in the head neutral position.
 |
 |
|---|---|
Corrections of a slant mouth with dentistry. Before and after. |
|
Another belief held by the natural balance movement is that bit seats create instability in the mouth which leads to dental imbalances. There is simply not enough tooth ground away to cause this. In addition there are 20 other cheek teeth resting together besides the four premolars where the bit seats are made. That’s a lot of occlusal surface.
In fact, a horse without bit seats will frequently have cuts on the cheek tissue from the pointed premolars which are very sharp. Even bitless horses cut themselves here quite frequently. Why would we want to decrease the horse’s level of comfort?
Removing and lightly radiusing the sharp lingual and buccal points does not change or decrease the natural angle of the cheek teeth as stated by the natural balance movement. Doing this will allow the horse to be more comfortable for longer periods of time between visits. A slight radiusing to the cheek teeth simply wears better and longer with greater comfort. Once again, aggressive dentistry should be avoided. Over-radiusing the teeth by a poorly trained practitioner will result in a smaller occlusal surface and should be discouraged.
By not addressing the sharp enamel points you are insuring that your horse will have chronic oral ulcers on the cheek tissue. Once again, lack of comfort for the horse.
In conclusion, whole mouth balance is achieved by whole mouth dentistry. The practitioner repects the natural angles of the TMK, cheek teeth and incisor tables. These concepts have been taught to whole mouth dental practitioners for years.
Additional articles written by Dr. Ridgway.