Teeth checking !!!

[sun-shine]

i see peoples points about not sedating, but i would much rather sedate, you can't honestly say as good a job can be done without sedation on the majority of horses- most i have seen more around trying to avoid it, wriggling around etc- i am all for those horses that dont need sedation to not be sedated, but i'm sorry i would not have electric power tools rasping my horses teeth if he was wide awake to feel everything no way!

I have seen the soft tissue damage that can be done with just a slip of the hand with electric power tools, so not sure I would feel happy using them with an animal that was unsedated. However as mentioned in another post I'm aware of battery operated power tools that are less powerful and apparently suitable for use unsedated, haven't had a chance to play with one yet though
I am really interested in peoples methods of doing this though, always good to learn more

 

[Umbongo]

I have seen the soft tissue damage that can be done with just a slip of the hand with electric power tools, so not sure I would feel happy using them with an animal that was unsedated.

What power tools have you seen cause this damage? I have seen some old nasty power tools (basically old push and pull rasps on motors) that could cause this sort of damage...I have only seen some vets use them!

The newer ones (leclair) that I have seen dentists use, and that I have used myself are quite safe. You can use it on your arms/fingers etc to demonstrate and doesn't cause any damage to me. Also if the horse bites down on it the power tool stops (also to prevent taking off too much tooth on accident!).

 

[tonitot]

Ethel is having her teeth done in two weeks Not sure she's ever had them done, which is bad as I've had her a year on Saturday I've been meaning to get an appointment for months now, but with a memory like a sieve I just kept forgetting! Was looking for the feed mans number today (which I've now remembered I still need to ring!) and found the dentists so did it while I had it there Was lucky to get an appointment so soon as the answerphone said they were booking 12 weeks in advance! I know it's bad I haven't had her done, but better late than never I guess

 

[sun-shine]

Standard rotary tools, same used universally really - no idea of brands or names, I only ever use other peoples but have seen the same used in US and UK whenever I have seen motorised dentistry. I know the push and pull type you mean and the name escapes me, there is still a chap in the states that uses them extensively.
Do these tools you mention rotate at a slower rate than usual, or something..? I've had a quick google with the name and they look very similar to what I'm used to.

 

[Umbongo]

Standard rotary tools, same used universally really - no idea of brands or names, I only ever use other peoples but have seen the same used in US and UK whenever I have seen motorised dentistry. I know the push and pull type you mean and the name escapes me, there is still a chap in the states that uses them extensively.
Do these tools you mention rotate at a slower rate than usual, or something..? I've had a quick google with the name and they look very similar to what I'm used to.

The name of the push and pull ones has escaped me too!! I know of a couple of vets from New Zealand who use them around here still.

Not sure about slower speeds etc. But as a learner I have never caused any soft tissue damage, and you can certainly run it across the soft skin on your arm and it doesn't cause any damage.

 

[sun-shine]

Thats super. If they are that safe I might invest in a kit. Stop my arms getting quite so tired

ETA they don't get that tired, I'm just lazy

 

[VictoriaEDT]

Sun shine, I have seen both and worked with both and agree I wouldnt dream of running motorised carbide or tungston discs/burrs unsedated, as they would cause soft tissue damage.

The LeClair is diamond coated and is similar to plaster cast removing instruments at hospital; they cut through plaster beautifully but when it hits skin there is no damage.
Before I put it in the horses mouth I reassure clients by running it on the underside of my arm. I use it to remove points, reduce focal overgrowths, rebalance and have not had one horse that has bled badly or had eating issues afterwards.

Double check your insurance though, if something were to go wrong it would most likely be invalidated if used unsedated if you are not BEVA/BAEDT registered. (If you are reg - ignore this!)

I only ran hand floats and LeClair on sedated before I qualified

 

[unbalanced]

From now on, I will always sedate my horse for the vet to do her teeth. I'm a bit worried because she has a broken tooth and she might need it out next year and the vet says she can't do it on her own and will have to work with the dentist.
Last year I used the EDT that everyone at my yard seems to use. I couldn't be there so I left a message to have her sedated (the vet was going to be there sedating some horses as we were getting a lot done) if she was even slightly difficult. My horse, my bill, my decision, you would think.
But no. I later heard that he had a fourteen year old girl in there holding her and my horse was rearing. He had been told to call the vet over and get her sedated, but he refused, said he could make her behave and apparently she kept rearing and eventually sat down. Poor creature.
Then just a few months later she wasn't right in her mouth, I had the vet look (under sedation and with me there) and turns out he hadn't even done the very back teeth at all - couldn't get in that far for her struggling.
So I guess the moral is whoever you use, vet or EDT, make sure you know who is going into your horses mouth, that they will listen to your wishes and do the right thing for you and your horse rather than prove a silly macho point and put a horse and child in danger.