Fig. 1. Equine dental chart used by the author’s practice. The front page is utilized for examination findings and back page for problem list, treatments, and complications/recommendations.
the oral problem list, treatments, and complications that were noted during procedures.
3. Results
Extraoral Examination This component is usually performed prior to seda- tion and involves visual and tactile assessment of the head region. Performing the extraoral exami- nation prior to sedation allows the practitioner to more accurately evaluate symmetry and whether the patient reacts painfully to palpation of different skull structures or abnormal areas of the head (this
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may be particularly important if attempting to rule- out jaw fracture prior to the mouth speculum being placed). Under normal conditions each of the ear pinnae, temporal muscles, temporomandibular joints, masseter muscles, orbits, globes, facial bones, and nostrils appear symmetrical in the horse. In some instances, if abnormalities of symmetry or ab- normal swellings of the head are encountered, addi- tional diagnostic testing may be indicated such as lab work, radiography, or computerized tomography. Abnormal facial symmetry may result from the following conditions (Figs. 2A–2C):
