Mandibula et Ossa faciei
The facial portion of the horse’s skull includes the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla (upper jaw), nasal bones, incisive bones, and the large paranasal sinuses (rostral and caudal maxillary, frontal, and conchofrontal). The mandible is the largest bone of the skull and the only movable one. Adult horses can have up to 44 teeth (males often have canine teeth). The interdental space (bars of the mouth) is where the bit rests. The extensive sinuses communicate with the nasal passages and can be involved in disease or trauma.
Skull bones are palpable in many areas. Assess for symmetry, swelling, or crepitus after trauma. Radiography and CT are the primary imaging modalities. Dental disease, sinusitis, and fractures are common clinical concerns.
## Overview Dental disease in horses commonly includes periodontal disease (inflammation and infection of the tissues supporting the teeth) and tooth-root abscesses. These conditions cause oral pain,
## Overview Paranasal sinusitis is inflammation or infection of one or more sinuses. Primary sinusitis follows upper-respiratory infection and responds to antibiotics and lavage. Secondary sinusitis
## Overview Nasal bone fractures are breaks of the bones forming the bridge of the nose, usually from direct trauma such as kicks, falls, or collisions. They cause swelling, asymmetry, nosebleeds, an
## Overview Wolf teeth are small vestigial premolars that sit just in front of the first cheek teeth. They can interfere with the bit, causing head-tossing, resistance, or bit pain. Not all wolf teet
## Overview Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a painful progressive disease of the incisor and canine teeth in older horses. Odontoclasts resorb dental tissue, foll
## Overview Mandibular fractures are breaks of the lower jaw, most often in the rostral (incisor) region. They result from kicks, falls, or the horse catching the jaw on an object. Signs include swel
Asymmetry of the face, swelling over the jaw or sinuses, or difficulty chewing after trauma should be evaluated. Regular dental care is important for the mandible and dental arcades.
## Overview Dental disease in horses commonly includes periodontal disease (inflammation and infection of the tissues supporting the teeth) and tooth-root abscesses. These conditions cause oral pain, quidding, weight loss, facial swelling, and nasal discharge. Regular dental care reduces but does not eliminate the risk. ## Causes Food packing from diastemata or malocclusions, sharp enamel points, fractured teeth, and age-related changes leading to periodontal pockets and eventual root infection. ## Diagnosis Oral examination with a speculum, radiographs or computed tomography of the skull, and assessment of facial swelling or sinus involvement. ## Treatment Periodontal disease is managed with cleaning, reduction of overgrowths, and sometimes diastema widening or filling. Tooth-root abscesses usually require extraction of the affected tooth plus antibiotics. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good after extraction of an abscessed tooth or successful periodontal treatment. Ongoing dental maintenance is required. ## Prevention Routine dental examinations every 6 to 12 months. Signs include: quidding; weight loss; facial swelling; nasal discharge; bad breath; reluctance to eat on one side
## Overview Paranasal sinusitis is inflammation or infection of one or more sinuses. Primary sinusitis follows upper-respiratory infection and responds to antibiotics and lavage. Secondary sinusitis is caused by tooth-root infection, cysts, or other lesions and requires treatment of the underlying problem. Unilateral nasal discharge is the hallmark. ## Causes Bacterial infection (primary) or extension from dental disease or cysts (secondary). ## Diagnosis Endoscopy, imaging, and oral examination. ## Treatment Systemic antibiotics and sinus lavage for primary disease. Address the primary lesion for secondary sinusitis. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for primary sinusitis. Depends on the underlying cause for secondary cases. ## Prevention Dental care and prompt treatment of respiratory infections. Signs include: unilateral nasal discharge; facial swelling; dull sinus percussion; possible fever
## Overview Nasal bone fractures are breaks of the bones forming the bridge of the nose, usually from direct trauma such as kicks, falls, or collisions. They cause swelling, asymmetry, nosebleeds, and sometimes difficulty breathing if the nasal passages are narrowed. Most are managed conservatively unless displacement obstructs airflow. ## Causes Blunt trauma to the face. ## Diagnosis Physical examination and radiographs or computed tomography of the skull. ## Treatment Rest and anti-inflammatories for non-displaced fractures. Surgical elevation or stabilization for significantly displaced fragments that obstruct the airway. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for most fractures. Cosmetic asymmetry may remain. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance. Signs include: facial swelling; asymmetry of the nasal bridge; epistaxis; possible respiratory noise or difficulty if displaced
## Overview Wolf teeth are small vestigial premolars that sit just in front of the first cheek teeth. They can interfere with the bit, causing head-tossing, resistance, or bit pain. Not all wolf teeth cause problems. Those that are large, displaced, or in the path of the bit are commonly extracted. ## Causes Interference between the wolf tooth and the bit. ## Diagnosis Oral examination. Behavioral signs under saddle support the decision to remove. ## Treatment Extraction of problematic wolf teeth. Unerupted or blind wolf teeth may also be removed if they cause pain. ## Recovery and Prognosis Excellent. Most horses are more comfortable in the bit afterward. ## Prevention Routine dental checks in young horses. Signs include: head-tossing; bit resistance; pain when the bit contacts the wolf tooth; visible or palpable wolf tooth
## Overview Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a painful progressive disease of the incisor and canine teeth in older horses. Odontoclasts resorb dental tissue, followed by excessive cementum deposition. It causes periodontitis, loose teeth, and oral pain. ## Causes The exact cause is unknown. Mechanical stress on the periodontal ligament is hypothesized as an initiating factor. It is seen almost exclusively in horses over 15 years of age. ## Diagnosis Oral examination reveals bulbous, discolored, or loose incisors. Radiographs show resorption and hypercementosis. Pain on palpation is common. ## Treatment Extraction of affected teeth is the definitive treatment and provides marked pain relief. Staged extractions are often performed. No medical therapy halts progression. ## Recovery and Prognosis Excellent for comfort after extraction. Horses adapt well to eating without incisors. ## Prevention None known. Regular dental examinations in older horses allow early detection. Signs include: painful or loose incisors; difficulty grasping feed; weight loss; bulbous tooth roots; reluctance to accept the bit
## Overview Mandibular fractures are breaks of the lower jaw, most often in the rostral (incisor) region. They result from kicks, falls, or the horse catching the jaw on an object. Signs include swelling, inability to close the mouth normally, malocclusion, drooling, and pain. Some fractures are open into the mouth. ## Causes Direct trauma. Young horses playing with objects and then being startled are commonly affected. Dental extraction complications can also occur. ## Diagnosis Oral examination and radiographs of the mandible. ## Treatment Many rostral fractures are stabilized with wire fixation between the teeth or conservative management if stable. More caudal fractures may need plates or pins. Antibiotics and soft feed are standard. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for most rostral fractures. Fractures involving the angle of the mandible or temporomandibular joint have a more guarded outlook. ## Prevention Safe environments and supervision of young horses around objects they might grab. Signs include: swelling of the lower jaw; inability to close the mouth properly; malocclusion; drooling; pain on palpation; possible open fracture into the mouth
Skull bones are palpable in many areas. Assess for symmetry, swelling, or crepitus after trauma. Radiography and CT are the primary imaging modalities. Dental disease, sinusitis, and fractures are common clinical concerns.
Asymmetry of the face, swelling over the jaw or sinuses, or difficulty chewing after trauma should be evaluated. Regular dental care is important for the mandible and dental arcades.
See the Mandible & Facial Bones on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model