NDA Journal 12 complications can be observed in the oral cavities of other animals and pets, as our understanding of the pathological processes affecting the human mouth has progressed. The horse has exerted the most evident influence of any domestic animal throughout human history.3 The earliest evidence of equine dentistry was discovered in 1150 BCE in the Mongolian Steppe. Equine veterinary care, specifically concerning oral health, played a crucial role in ensuring the continuation of a strong human-horse relationship because of the limitations imposed by horse biology and available riding apparatus. The preservation of equine health through dental procedures strengthened the critical role of horses throughout economies and cultures across the globe.3 Horses have historically been necessary for transportation, sports, mechanical power, and military use. Strong jaws and teeth were essential to fit their mouths securely, with bits to control and manipulate the horse’s direction and speed.4 To manage occlusal abnormalities, their teeth were intentionally modified (floating) to help accommodate mechanical gags in the horse’s mouth.3 Horse teeth floating, a dental procedure that eliminates the sharp edges that develop on horses’ teeth, is essential to proper bit comfort. Moreover, it creates a uniform grinding pattern for the horse’s chewing, promoting better digestion. There are at least forty teeth in the mouth of an average adult male horse: twenty teeth positioned in the maxillary and twenty in the mandible. Occasionally, the absence of canines in females results in up to four fewer teeth. “Wolf teeth” are present in both sexes. Based on position and structure, horse teeth are classified like human dentition with incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.5 The Triadan system of dental nomenclature for a horse is shown in figure above. The discipline of animal dentistry appeared in Ancient Egypt; nevertheless, its progress has been obstructed due to the Library of Alexandria fire of 48 BC, which destroyed over 700,000 ancient historical manuscripts.6 The ancient Greeks contributed to veterinary dentistry with Simons of Athens writings of The Veterinary Art of the Inspection of Horses in 480 BCE. Aristotle’s History of Animals was written in 333 BCE, where he wrote about horses’ aging teeth and periodontal disease.7,8,9 The Romans also contributed to veterinary dentistry through Chiron, a veterinarian, who wrote a series of animal books with material including equine oral pathology and fractured jaw management.9 The fascination with horses continued into the Byzantine Empire. The interest continued throughout Europe as horse riding and ownership became more progressive among the elite making veterinary medicine an even more essential discipline.10 The origins of small-animal dentistry were independent and gradual. Unfortunately, it began with barbaric procedures that were performed only due to superstitions.4 One example is the excision of the lyssa (the fibro-muscular tube that supports the rostral end of the tongue). The belief that rabies was transmitted by a small “worm!” located at the base of the tongue was widespread. Grattius Falistcus, a poet, (1st century BC), was aware of the legend surrounding the origin of the sublingual ‘lyssa’ of rabid dogs. They held the belief that the dog could be wholly cured by extracting the worms.13 Furthermore, it was suggested that this worm, when injected, possessed miraculous curative abilities capable of averting the disease in the bitten individual; however, this was only the case after the individual had been carried three times around a fire.11 There was even evidence of the fabrication of dog dentures.12 The progressive shift into smaller animal dentistry came when there was an increase in companion animals. Their oral health needs became a priority, and owners paid more attention to the animals’ diets, especially when these animals were no longer hunting for their food. Refined diets brought on more periodontal and oral disease due to reduced masticatory function. The first-ever veterinary dental school was established in 1762 in Lyon, France.13 (photo on page 13) It marked an initial milestone for a shift in veterinary dental teachings. Following this breakthrough in 1889, the first veterinary dental written material was published. Many books followed. These publications expanded the scope of veterinary » Featured Article
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