Procedures we
carry out for you &
your equine . . .

General physical exam. (TMJ & Con-
ditional score)

Detailed documentation of Diet, rid-
ing history and general behavior.

Detailed whole mouth oral examina-
tion (mobile/onsite intra-oral
camera).

A written report outlining the exam
and treatment plan.

Treatment by either hand floats or
power floats as required.

Full mouth balancing and bit-seating
for performance horses.

Functional balance and dietary ad-
vice for the aged horse.
Foal checks to examine for congeni-


tal defects such as parrot mouth and
correct shedding of caps.
““With our advanced dental
equipment, we can improve and
correct almost any dental problem”
Does your dentist do a
thorough examination?
We do !
Your Dentist should watch your horse move and look at his
muscle structure, palpate the TMJ and areas surrounding
the head before they get to looking in the horse’s mouth.
They should then look, touch and feel to examine the teeth
and the mouth thoroughly to check for any abnormalities or
loose teeth. Don't be happy until your Dentist has taken a
flashlight or a headlamp and actually LOOKs into the
mouth, and also puts his hand in to FEEL everywhere.
The horse should be examined for abnormal eruption pat-
terns, malocclusions, wear pattern, sharp points, loose
teeth, cracked teeth, pockets, infections, retained caps etc.
The horse should be checked that the lateral movement of
the mandible (lower jaw) is normal and that the teeth make
Corrective & Performance
grinding possible.
Whole Mouth Dentistry
The masticatory muscles are checked for soreness or
swelling. Remember that many muscles of mastication are
intimately connected to the muscles of locomotion.
Performance
And after all this you do the necessary treatment and cor- Equine
rections to any problems that might be present.
Dentistry
Contact us on Nic Graham EqD
0438 822 704
Phone 0438 822 704
www.performancedentistry.com.au
www.performancedentistry.com.au
info@performancedentistry.com.au

Good Teeth = 100%
Performance
Every time.
Nic Graham EqD
Nic Graham is an Equine Dentist undergoing certification
by the College of Equine Dentistry Australia, and also
holds a degree in Dental Technology from RMIT.
She has worked in Geelong for 13 years as a practicing and
licensed Dental Technician.
Horses have always been her passion and a part of her
family since birth. Nic now combines her passion for
horses, and offers her education and experience in den-
tistry to the equine community - the same service she
gives to her own performance horses. Nic also teaches
Pony Club and is a successful competitive rider in her own
right.
PZ Bits >>>
PZ BITS are the hottest bits to hit the world market
and they are taking the Equine community by storm.
All of the PZ BITS have been designed with a specific
purpose in mind.
The mouthpieces are all built to work in ways that
offer maximum comfort for the horse, which then
gives the rider a softer feel and the results speak for
themselves!
PZ BITS are offered in a range of
mouthpiece sizes to suit every
horse. and with different cheek
piece sizes and styles. Ask about
our bit-fitting service.
Corrective & Performance Whole Mouth Dentistry
Whole Body Wellbeing >>>
Dental treatment is an invasive procedure for human or horse, but a necessity for good health, safe horse riding and getting
100% performance out of your horse every time. As your horse communicates with you through behaviour, it is your respon-
sibility to read these behaviours and act accordingly. Don’t always assume that bad behaviour is to ensure you have a bad
ride; it could be a sign of something happening in the mouth. Social changes, enforced by us onto the horse, necessitate that
Equine Dentistry advances. Previously, the trend has been to not adjust the Incisor teeth and in a perfect world you wouldn’t.
In the modern equestrian world, Balance of the horse head is definitive.
Like most of the public, I’ve always been a conscientious owner having my horses teeth assessed and filed yearly. Yet I still
had problems. Now I’ve found that most of the mainstream techniques applied with human dentistry are as applicable to the
equine. As a Certified Equine Dentist, I am focusing on the TMJ and the performance of the individual horse: TEMPORO
MANDIBULAR JOINT.
The logic of the balance between the TMJ and the teeth arcades is paramount. Balance here ensures correct axial flow thus
nutrients are used to their fullest capabilities. Many dollars of hard earned cash is passed through the gut undigested be-
cause of unbalanced axial flow. Many problems diagnosed as behavioural can often be minor alignment issues. The TMJ
works in conjunction with the skeletal system. Healthy balance here follows throughout the equines physique.
The equipment used for procedures are the newest designs in technology. Included is the water induction handpiece which
uses water through a pump to cool teeth and keep tooth dust settled during prophylactic and equilibration procedures. This
handpiece has been thoroughly researched and designed to be extremely advantageous reaching those almost impossibly
positioned upper 11 buccal cusps. The burrs used are all of diamond tungsten or carbide. Previous career has emphasized
the importance of hygiene, sterilisation techniques, and prevention of cross-infection.
Another service which we offer will be the correct design (custom-made) and fitting of bits. Like saddles not all bits fit cor-
rectly and so many issues are addressed when the mouth has a true fitting bit this can also improve the disposition of the
horse and make for safer riding.
See our client education page for detailed information at www.performancedentistry.com.au
Bit Fitting Service >>>
No mouth is alike including your horse. A bit purchased for one horse may not fit the next one. It is also one of the most
valuable tools in your riding. Incorrect fit of a bit can create many behavioral problems with our ride. As we all know, any
dental pain is extremely uncomfortable and ill-fitting bits can alleviate and cause trauma and create whole body problems.
A horse may not be resisting a rein but may be unable to accept it because of a problem tooth. Head-tossing is often the
result of palatal pinching not inattentiveness. Often after Dental treatment and re-balancing of the mouth a newer softer bit
can be the introduced as the issue of pain is not connected anymore {by the horse} with the bit. Your horse will receive a
comprehensive bit-fitting with each treatment. Horses communicate through their resistance: Aversion (behind the bit), In-
version (above the bit), Holding & taking of the bit