Dentistry

Dental health is essential for a horse’s wellbeing and performance. The hospital offers a full range of equine dental services, from routine care and preventive treatments to advanced surgical procedures.

We are well equipped with specialised dental tools and advanced imaging equipment and have a team of veterinary surgeons with the expertise to deal with a range of different teeth-related conditions.  

Comprehensive dental assessment and individualised treatment plans   

Sam Baker BVSc CertAVP(ED) MRCVS is an RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Equine Dentistry. She is partly based as a lecturer at the Hospital but also runs her own equine dentistry company Apex Equine. Sam works closely with our team of imaging and surgery specialists enabling us to offer a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment service. This includes advanced imaging of the head in our state-of-the-art computed tomography facility.  

An individual treatment plan will be formulated for each case based on that specific case and according to the wishes of each owner based on likely prognosis, potential complications and costs. We work closely in conjunction with each horse’s normal veterinary surgeon, enabling a plan for long-term oral healthcare to be formulated.  

Dental extractions

We offer standard oral extractions and advanced surgical extractions. Each case is different and some diseased teeth can be easier to remove than others. Most of our dental extractions are performed via the mouth in the standing, sedated patients. Nerve blocks and pain relief are also routinely administered. 

Advanced surgical extraction techniques may be needed in some horses to safely and effectively remove problematic teeth. This includes removal via the mouth using specifically designed instruments that are placed via a small incision through the cheek (modified trans-buccal extraction, MTE). In some complex cases, surgery under a general anaesthetic or tooth removal via the horse's sinuses may be required. 

Sinus surgery and fracture repair

In cases where dental issues have extended into the sinuses or where damage to surrounding bones has occurred, our team can perform a range of sinus surgery and fracture repair techniques. Whether treating sinus infections or stabilising fractures caused by trauma, we use minimally invasive methods wherever possible.

Restorative techniques

Our dentistry services also include restorative treatments such as fillings and root canal therapy.  Preserving tooth integrity can help to prevent further complications, supporting long-term oral health.  

Referral of cases

Our hospital team are happy to liaise with a horse's usual veterinary surgeon to provide an initial treatment plan and costs based on tests already performed. If you wish to refer a case or discuss a case with the hospital team, please contact the reception team in the first instance by email equinereception@liverpool.ac.uk.