We are new to the area and looking for a top equine dentist for our young horse (coming 6 yo)… Any suggestions? (including who to stay away from?). Although we do not have to use them, our barn brings in: Dr. Johnson, Myles Hopton, and Lee Follett…
Most of the local vets in this area do quality dental work. I have only used vets on my horses, and would likely go to Leesburg for any issues my vet couldn’t address at the farm. Will PM with the name of one dentist to avoid.
I use TEVA (Dr. Joyce) and no issues at all. I got to feel all around while he had the mouth open and check for myself that all the points and rough edges were taken care of. Other people at my barn use Myles Hopton. They are happy with him. I prefer to use a vet due to my pony needs sedation.
I’ve heard a lot of people aren’t fans of Dr. Joyce but we get along great and we have a grand ole’ time when he comes out.
Bruno Favre is my dentist, he works at the tracks and doing sport horses and will come out to Boyds for 1. I also think Dave Butts is top notch, but had to stop using him because I had a hard time scheduling him.
I use Elizabeth Voss. She has a different approach than other dentists. With a previous well known dentist in my area, my horse tried to rear up multiple times. Not once did he do that with Elizabeth. My horse is generally a really easy horse so for him to rear is completely not like him. He was rearing because he needed a more gentle process with lots of breaks.
She is also has a background in equine osteopath.
My horse had an inflamed TMJ. Before Elizabeth, I had an idea that his tmj was bothering him but didn’t know how. Elizabeth helped me understand what was happening and really cares.
If you want your typical dentist, there are many good ones. But, if you want someone who does thinks a bit different, I highly recommend Elizabeth. She’s worked on horses with issues that several other dentists and vets couldn’t resolve.
The idea that floating teeth will somehow enhance TMJ comfort is relatively new and isn’t supported by any science. What science does support is the TMJ can be harmed by overzealous incisor reduction. Here is and excerpt from a Veterinary Journal
“Anecdotal reports suggest that incisor reduction – reducing the height of the incisors by grinding – may be commonly performed by para-professionals, as well as by qualified veterinary dentists. However, our experience suggests that it is only indicated in a small number of horses. At the WCVM in 2001-2002, approximately 600 complete dental floats were performed. Only 2 sets of incisors were reduced to correct malocclusion during this time. The literature states that a 1 mm reduction in incisor length will lead to a 3 mm reduction in inter-occlusal distance between the cheek teeth.5 Overzealous incisor reduction can lead to molar occlusion at rest, which is abnormal.There is concern that this can lead to temporo-mandibular joint pain. It is likely that in the long-term, over-reduction of the incisors will result in greater molar wear or the need to reduce the height of the erupted crown of the cheek teeth to allow prehension of feed.”
It’s ironic that a procedure that is meant to heal a TMJ is far more likely to harm it.
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I’ve used Myles and almost all the barns near me use him. Although I didn’t meet him personally, my horse had his wolf teeth removed and I’ve had no issues. I thought the pricing was very fair too.
That is why I really liked Elizabeth. She purposely didn’t take too much off since this was her first time working on him. She was extra cautious with the amount of teeth that he had left. She also explained how the teeth affect the TMJ.
She was also able to help guide me in a good direction to help my horse’s TMJ. I learned a lot of valuable information in regards to a horse’s teeth. I had such a great experience that when she left (after talking on the phone with her for an hour before our appointment), I immediately knew, she would be my current and future horse’s dentist.
She does take a different approach to working with the horses, but I do as well, so I think that is why I really like her.
Second Dennis Lynch. Excellent equine dentist, has actually trained European sport horse dentists as well.
