There’s good news and bad news when it comes to Class 1 malocclusions (bite misalignments) in horses. The good news is that these are the mildest misalignments, and some don’t even require treatment. The bad news is that, partly due to a lack of research on the topic, it can be challenging to determine if such malocclusions do require treatment.

Equine veterinarians learned more about these dental issues at the 2016 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec. 3-7 in Orlando, Florida. Edward T. Earley, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, reviewed Class 1 malocclusions, the forces that impact them, and his decision-making process when it comes to correcting them.

Malocclusion Research (or Lack Thereof)

The decision to treat mild malocclusions via floating (removing sharp enamel points) or odontoplasty (recontouring the tooth surface) isn’t black or white. Some horses have no signs of discomfort or problems chewing despite having malocclusions of varying degrees, while others with mild bite abnormalities can develop painful lesions on nearby soft tissues or drop weight.

An accurate diagnosis should always precede medical or veterinary treatment, and odontoplasty is no exception, Earley said. The challenge, however, is that there’s little evidence-based research on the procedure and indications for it, he said