Wolf tooth
In horses, the first premolar (P1) is called the wolf tooth (lat. Dens lupinus ) . It is a rudimentary , small, pin-shaped tooth that is a remnant of the evolution of the horse's dentition. Wolf teeth are not put on every horse. Wolf teeth that have been placed do not break through the gums , especially in the lower jaw - in this case one speaks of a "blind wolf tooth".
If anything, wolf teeth erupt in the first year of life. The chewing pressure can lead to a displacement ("migration") of the wolf tooth and injuries to the mucous membrane. From the age of three, the tooth supporting structure ossifies and the root canal and the pulp cavity are closed with replacement dentine .
Clinical significance
When riding on a bridle or curb , the wolf's teeth can cause pain to the horse and lead to defensive reactions on the part of the horse (shaking the head, fighting against the bit, etc.)
The wolf's teeth are usually removed by the vet with pliers and / or chisels. The procedure is relatively straightforward, as the wolf teeth are usually not firmly anchored in the jaw. In horses that are more than three years old, it is sometimes not possible to pull the tooth due to the ossification of the teeth holding apparatus. Then the part that protrudes from the tooth socket is simply removed and the surface smoothed. The wounds heal within a few days.
literature
- Teeth, dentes. In: F.-V. Salomon et al: anatomy for veterinary medicine . Enke, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8304-1007-7 , pp. 251-264.
- P. Stelzer: The extraction of the wolf tooth. In: Praktischer Tierarzt 85 (2004), issue 3, pages 188-189.
