Power tools vs. manual teeth cleaning?

i am wondering what the pros and cons are to having a horses teeth floated if power tools are used? i have always had it done by hand and i was just curious how the "new technology" was working out...

Power tools vs. manual teeth cleaning?
I don't trust power tools at all.





My dentist (my equine dentist, not my own dentist) told me about a fairly newly qualified female equine dentist who is fairly local to me. She used power tools because it was easier than manually filing the teeth. She left a three year old Connemara with teeth as flat as tabletops; pony couldn't eat properly for months and has lost a ton of condition.





Obviously it depends on the person using them, but as I say I don't trust them. I think they make the job too easy; filing down by hand makes the dentist slow down and concentrate.
Reply:I hate the new tool for that, it scares the horses and it is easier to cut their mouths. This one horse that got done the other day by the tool had blood gushing out of its mouth! It was sickening and the owner almost passed out.
Reply:The power tools just work faster, and should not be dangerous (responding to the other post) unless used by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.





Of course it is true that some horses may be more upset by them, but they are usually tranquilized anyways so if your horse is calm and the vet prefers it I don't see any reason you should avoid it.
Reply:I have had both done.





When my mule had the manual floats, he had to be done every year.





The drill, he is still right on perfectly alligned and its been 3 yrs now. I just had him evaluated.





The drill was quick, and did a phenomenal job. I will only use the drill from now on.
Reply:i had my draft floated with a drill recently and it was great. only downside was my vet insisted on sedating him, but all in all it went perfect, took no time at all, no fighting, no fear and great results.
Reply:I have my mare done the old fashioned way..ive seen the grinder used and I dont want any power tools near her..no matter how good they claim to be...whether used on hooves or whatever. I think the reason behind the trend is laziness on behalf of those who use them..and inexperience by those who let it be done...just my opinion...;0)
Reply:Personally I would stick with the hand tools. There is a new horse at the barn that I work at who had "wavy mouth" because of someone overworking him with power tools. The poor horse literally could not eat. The day after the equine dentist was out with his hand tools there was not a speck of hay in that horses stall. Power tools might be okay 9 out of 10 times but there is just too much risk for overkill.





ETA: The equine dentist our barn uses has never had to sedate any of the horses he's worked on there. Even very young horses.
Reply:The drills can be brutal in the wrong hands. Taking the teeth down too far is another problem and it doesn't take too long to do it either.





Another downer for me is the expense. My vet charges $120 per horse in addition to the $90 farm call. With 14 horses home, I can't afford it!





I prefer the old way, esp. with the older horses that don't have much tooth left anyway.
Reply:I don't think one is better than the other...





Manual tools put more pressure on the teeth so the horses tend to be more sore afterwards, and I don't think the edges come out as smooth....





Power tools are dangerous (the dentist has to have a LOT of experience to be sure he doesn't accidentally touch the cheeks, gums or tongue. But I think the job gets done faster and better... And (assuming the dentist is good) the horse tends to not be sore as long afterwards.





But that's just my opinion (as a long time owner/manager of a 39+ stall boarding stable) and I'm sure others will give you differing views... Talk to YOUR vet and YOUR dentist and see what they recommend for YOU....





Good Luck!
Reply:either way is fine if the work is done by a qualified equine dentist. The horse is sedated and just stands there half asleep. If done properly there should be no wounds or blood. My friend had a regular vet do her horses teeth. The horse died. It pays to hire a licensed dentist after all you wouldn't let someone with a 6 week course work on your teeth.

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