Changes

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==

[[Image:Shear mouth.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>‘Shear mouth’ of the right upper and lower arcades. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Shear mouth.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>‘Shear mouth’ of the right upper and lower arcades. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

The equine maxillary cheek teeth arcades are normally 23% further apart than their mandibular counterparts, with both arcades sloping ventrally downwards towards the outside of the mouth (i.e. in the buccal direction). As noted, this absence of complete occlusal contact between the upper and lower cheek teeth (as opposed to human dental occlusion) predisposes to the development of [[Donkey - Dental Overgrowths|enamel overgrowths]] (‘enamel points’) laterally (on the outside) of the maxillary, and  medially (the inside) of the mandibular cheek teeth.

The equine maxillary cheek teeth arcades are normally 23% further apart than their mandibular counterparts, with both arcades sloping ventrally downwards towards the outside of the mouth (i.e. in the buccal direction). As noted, this absence of complete occlusal contact between the upper and lower cheek teeth (as opposed to human dental occlusion) predisposes to the development of '''enamel overgrowths''' (‘enamel points’) laterally (on the outside) of the maxillary, and  medially (the inside) of the mandibular cheek teeth.

These overgrowths are largely due to domestication, with the associated feeding of concentrates, which limit the time a donkey chews its food – normally up to 18 hours a day in donkeys at pasture. The feeding of grain and processed food also limits the normal lateral jaw movements and further promotes the development of overgrowths. When the mandibles are even narrower than usual, these dental overgrowths may become more pronounced. The prime role of the lay equine dental technician is to prevent these overgrowths from developing by routine and effective tooth rasping.

These overgrowths are largely due to domestication, with the associated feeding of concentrates, which limit the time a donkey chews its food – normally up to 18 hours a day in donkeys at pasture. The feeding of grain and processed food also limits the normal lateral jaw movements and further promotes the development of overgrowths. When the mandibles are even narrower than usual, these dental overgrowths may become more pronounced. The prime role of the lay equine dental technician is to prevent these overgrowths from developing by routine and effective tooth rasping.