Dental Power Tools Pros/Cons

Persephone

Persephone

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Does your Equine Dentist use power tools?

Do you have reasons for/against their use?

Enquiring minds need to know ;)
 
The EDT I used to have used manual rasps, but was due to start using power tools - I then had to change to a new one, who got out the power tools and got to work on her first visit. I was dreading my horses reaction to this as he can be spooky and bolshy but to be honest he didn't act any differently.

I think my nerves were more to do with my own anxieties about the dentist, as it didn't seem to make any difference to the horse! In fact I think it was all over much quicker and was probably less strain for the EDT.

As for the actual advantages and disadvantages from a technical point of view, I have no idea which is best now you mention it!
 
I was speaking to my EDT about this (doesnt use them) and she said that she didnt like them as when used they go down quite far and also they smooth off the teeth so they are like marble so horses have trouble grinding food up. I had an EDT come out and use them on taz and he said he wouldnt need to come out for about a year and a half as he took them down a bit too much! to say i was a bit shocked and pissed off was an understatement also it left a horse who used to doze off for the dentist absolutely petrified and he now has to have sedalin so he will stand still :( My EDT also said that she had no idea why they would use power tools on a horse that was fully awake as if he moved he could have done a lot of damage to his teeth and gums... luckily he stood still! i wouldnt let someone near him again with them but anyone else wants to let their horse have it done its up to them :)
 
Would never let a EDT near one of my horses after two nightmare experiances.
I either use a vet whose done the dental training or take them to professor Dixon at the dick.
Power tools have been a major step forward in dental care for the horse I am more than happy for them to be used but very careful who I allow near my horses mouths .
 
I dont seem to have much luck with dentists. I had one hit my horse on the head with a rasp to distract her from being naughty, wasnt a tap either but a whack and it didnt work. Next one i found out wasnt registered baedt, so next one i got off the list on baedt website and got to work straight away on my youngster with power tools, he resisted and messed about a lot and it took quite a while to eventually get him done but he never once got a rasp out to see if he would settle with that. He also did my old ponies teeth and he was also badly behaved with the power tools yet this pony has had power tools used on him by the vet and he was ok then. Think i may have to try another dentist.
 
My EDT uses electric tools. I was convinced first time that she wouldnt get them near my horse as I have never been able to get clippers anywhere near him.
He didnt bat an eyelid. My other 2 are fine with the electric rasp too. She uses electric tools then finishes off fiddly bits with a manual rasp. In my opinion if it makes your EDT's life easier then why not.
 
Our dentist has used power tools and hand tools on my mare. In fact he used the power tools on his first visit! He says he prefers to use them as he can get a better finish, although on his second visit there was a distinct lack of accessible plug socket, and so he hand-floated her teeth. It took a little longer, and he said the finish was as good as to be expected with the hand rasps. He explained that floating by hand can actually pull on the teeth more during dental work, and cause more discomfort to the mouth than using electric tools. Some horses will only tolerate it for so long, comparatively.

Touch wood, we have had no complications with either method.
 
I have read somewhere that the power tools can damage the enamel.
I'd rather mine be done with hand tools as in my mind it is more precise than a dremel will ever be.
 
I have seen some horses before having way too much off with the electric tools. Just personally feel the hand ones have more off a hands on type way about them.
 
When I had a dentist out for my horse he used power tools.

He found some long standing hooks at right at the back which had not been dealt with before although I had been using a vet regularly.

He didn't criticise the vet but he did say that these would have been virtually impossible to sort out with the hand float without complete sedation, part of the problem being that my horse did have an very small mouth.

Horse had always been funny about nosebands but after that wasn't so something was sorted out.
 
Ah, interesting. I wondered because mine uses power tools as a matter of course. He does sedate though too.

He is a vet and also a qual.dentist
 
Zorya said:
He explained that floating by hand can actually pull on the teeth more during dental work, and cause more discomfort to the mouth than using electric tools.
Click to expand...
My EDT said this too and he uses hand tools. He said it can loosen teeth in older horses. Made sense when he said it tbh.

My lot have had both used over the years and all tolerate both well except one horse who is less happy with either set of tools, she just isn't keen on teeth work.
 
amandap said:
My EDT said this too and he uses hand tools. He said it can loosen teeth in older horses. Made sense when he said it tbh.

My lot have had both used over the years and all tolerate both well except one horse who is less happy with either set of tools, she just isn't keen on teeth work.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it made sense to me when he said it too. I can imagine the sensation in my own mouth. She still has her wolf teeth, which are actually quite sensitive, and his main concern was potentially catching one of those whilst he floated by hand.
 
I've spoken (and shadowed) quite a few EDTs/vets doing teeth- including always sedated and power tools, always sedated but hand tools and 2 with hand tools naturally. Spoken to them all about it and tbh I think I prefer the 'natural and hand tools' method. The two people who sedate are very well known high up as being 'good', one a top local vet who deals with the rescue centres so is used to some serious issues as well as 'proper' horses, the other works for many of the olympic riders. However, tbh I prefer the control and feel of the hand tool users. One I followed during her training and the other we actually use but both I would use above a vet :o
 
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=585364&highlight=power+tools

There is much controversy over the use of power tools but in the correct hands they do a very good, efficient job and in most cases cause little distress to the horse. Try running a power tool head across your hand then a manual rasp - modern, correctly used power tools are going to do far less damage to soft tissues and have far less drag effect which is especially valuable with older horses.
 
As eventingmum stated the flat disk that many power tools have is very atraumatic to tissue. The only real disadvantage is overheating and this can be managed easily by a knowledgable edt or vet. It does cause less "pull" on teeth so has particular advantages in older horses. Also, contrary to what a previous poster has thought, you can reduce a specific dental overgrowth without affecting adjacent teeth unlike with manual rasps where, with certain teeth you cannot avoid also rasping the teeth next to them.
 
haven't read replies... personally would not let anyone near my horses with power tools...have a wonderful dentist who is patient and so good with them, my horses have no worries when the dentist comes, all 3 have never had any probs with teeth, cant see any reason to change when all is well !!
 
My horses see a dental technician twice a year & as such there is never loads of work to do. If you keep on top of dental issues then hand floating is all they will need. I also think that there is more control over the amount they remove by hand than with power tools. If you have a horse that has not seen a dental technician in years then there may be considerable work to do & therefore power tools may be the best option to remove large spurs etc as the work will be done quicker. By choice I would have hand floating.
 
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