Diastema widening

[LHamilton838]

Hi,

Recently had a vet visit for my 16 year old and advised she may need diastema widening.
Gaps have been flushed for now and check up due in 6 months.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done in the past if you know a rough idea on costs or any advice etc

thanks!
Lara

 

[HashRouge]

My elderly Arab had this done a few years ago. It was just done as part of her normal dental appointment - she was sedated, but she normally is as doesn't stand well for the dentist. I don't remember it being significantly more expensive than a normal dental appointment. Her gum health is significantly improved since it was done, and she doesn't get anywhere near as much food stuck as she used to. I was a bit freaked out by it as it felt like one of those things that once done can't be undone, but it was definitely a positive for her. Her breath used to smell before as she had gum disease, but her gums are in much, much better health now and her breath is normal sweet horsey breath again.

 

[Gloi]

I've had it done on my elderly pony a few times. I trailered him to the vets so he could be sedated and put in stocks there as he hated dentists. Their dental specialist saw to him. Sometimes they were widened and sometimes just gaps cleaned out. I think it was about £70 a visit 3 years ago. He always ate a lot better afterwards.

 

[JanetGeorge]

I've had quite a few with diasteme (and one of them is now a police horse in London!) To me, it's a routine treatment carried out by my very good EDT, Olivier Gilot. Amd the crazy thing is he isn't yet 'qualifid' and may never be, because BEVA doesn't LIKE EDTs who do a better job than the vast number of vets!! Not related to diastema (although no doubt he will get it in the future - he started with tooth in ear at just two years old and that had to be surgically removed by a vet who IS a very good dentist (a rare individual.) This horse had two severely displaced wolf teeth, inside the 6's on the lower jaw. Dental work is always a bit risky on the lower jaw - a simple procedure can become fatal with one wrong move. The video IS worth watching - we DID get a vet out to do the heavy sedation and he was VERY pleased NOT to have to be the one removing the 2 errant teeth - he had never seen such a displacement - and not many have. Olivier had only done one previously that was on the lower jaw, and that one WASN'T in such an 'odd' place. When this was done, the horse was only 4 years old - a tribute to his natural temperament. But then Olivier never wants anyone in the stable while he is working: with a tricky horse, he just follows them around, talking calmly and making it possible.

Actually, there are two videos (I'd forgotten the 2nd one) but both DO give a very good 'picture' of what can be found in a horse's mouth - and let's face it - MANY behavior and conditioning problems are down to something wrong in the mouth! I rather think I made an error in naming him Sweet Memories - because there are too many BAD memories in his teensy little brain!

And -

Of course, not ALL problems can be easily 'fixed' - this one shows him having a lesson on hacking out - calmly! (Luckily, no loony drivers around to make a mess of the lesson. )