Equine cheek teeth: the story the occlusal surface tells

Every equine dental patient should undergo a detailed oral examination before additional diagnostics are pursued. This article discusses the visual oral examination, with emphasis on the cheek teeth and specifically the occlusal surfaces. Four different mineralised dental structures are visible on the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth: cementum, enamel, primary dentine and secondary dentine. The secondary dentine marks the pulp horns, which should be dark brown without any defects. It is critical to know where the pulp horns are located, as involvement of these is pivotal in decision making in cases of fractured teeth. Infundibular caries is another common disease affecting the maxillary teeth, which should be recognised and treated.