Spencer LaFlure’s school for Natural Balance Dentistry™ / Neuromuscular Horse Dentistry, endorses the paradigm that pathologies in the mouth such as hooks, ramps, waves and sharp points develop according to balance and movement through the TMJs. Occlusion and angles of the teeth stabilize and guide the TMJs, and habitual movement through the jaw produces specific wear patterns in the molar tables over time. We can affect these patterns most primarily by floating practices, and especially through the delicate balance in the incisors. There is a three point balance shared between the incisors, molars, and TMJs, which affects the whole horse from head to tail and toes.
The incisors offer guidance for the temporal mandibular joints, and wear patterns including pathologies in the molars are the result of ongoing habitual movement through the TMJs. As the horse chews in a natural state, the jaw rotates through a range of motion and the molar tables slide across each other at the end of each rotation. Specific types of vibration during “translation” (the sliding and grinding across of the molar tables), stimulate the periodontal ligaments, promoting a natural eruption response in the teeth. All changes made during floating have lasting effects on eruption of the teeth throughout the horse’s lifetime.
The angles and surface texture of the teeth are always altered by floating, and are both critical components for healthy TMJs and neuromuscular function through the whole body. Each tooth is connected through the periodontal ligaments, to the horse’s facial nerves, cranial nerve pathways, and greater neurological system. Changing texture and angles in the teeth can permanently alter tooth composition and eruption patterns. Floating teeth smooth and flat can dramatically alter TMJ function, neural pathways and movement patterns through the whole body.
The tongue is suspended from the hyoid in the horse’s mouth. When chewing in a natural healthy way, the jaw and tongue rotate consistently, to form a bolus containing feed and saliva. TMJ alignment affects position and movement through the tongue and hyoid apparatus. The hyoid is a primary component of the stomatognathic system, and connects intricately with the whole body through soft tissue and fascial networks.
When the jaw, hyoid and tongue are stable and neutral, it is possible to educate the horse to release the jaw, poll and neck, using a bit. With or without use of a bit, dental alignment of the TMJs directly influences the horse’s ability to soften through the jaw and achieve relaxed movement at the atlantooccipital junction (“the poll”). Relaxation, mobility and lateral flexion at the poll, affects alignment and flexion both laterally and longitudinally, through the neck and entire spinal column. This affects posture, relaxation, nervous system function, and movement patterns through the whole body, including range of motion through the horse’s limbs, and hoof production and wear.
It is important to take into account eruption and wear rates and functional anatomy of the cranial area, that vary for each individual horse. The process of Neuromuscular Horse Dentistry™ creates a positive feedback cycle over time, in which the naturally aligned TMJs, produce naturally balanced wear patterns in the teeth as the horse chews. Because the tooth is finite, less floating required to maintain balanced wear, increases longevity through the teeth and body as the horse ages. The bones of the TMJs adapt to rotation patterns over time, and an older horse with previously existing imbalances may benefit most from regular and appropriate bodywork that addresses release of the TMJs, hyoid, and poll.
Neuromuscular based dentists use small hand floats and a speculum, and work with the horse standing loose in a neutral posture. Relaxed natural posture during the work allows the practitioner to evaluate individual posture and conformation, and position or alignment of the jaw. The horse is given many opportunities to rest and reset, allowing continuous feedback for the practitioner, gradual acclimation to the adjustments, and minimal stress on the horse’s TMJs, neck and body.
Learn more about Neuromuscular Based Horse Dentistry at www.centerforneuromuscularhorsedentistry.com