Patient: Surprise, a 5 year old Cleveland Bay Mare
Problem: Star had a history of a right sided nasal discharge that had been present on and off for a year. The discharge was thick, yellow-green in color and had an odor.
The discharge would disappear when antibiotics were administered but then would quickly return.
Examination: Oral examination revealed awedge fracture 
[fracture involving the chewing surface, extending down below the gum line but not progressing down the middle of the tooth] on the outside [cheek] side of the second to last upper right cheek tooth [#110].
Radiographs: Digital radiographs of the tooth showed the presence of an abscessinvolving one of the roots of this tooth.
Diagnosis: Abscessed tooth resulting from a fracture at the chewing surface that had extended up one of the pulp horns of the tooth into the root. When horses are this young, the roots of the last two upper cheek teeth reside in the sinuses. The abscessed tooth, therefore, drained into the sinus, causing the nasal discharge on the right side.
Treatment Plan: Standing oral extraction of the affected tooth.
Follow-up: The nasal discharge resolved after the tooth was successfully extracted and antibiotics were given to treat the remaining sinus infection.
Patient:Cody 24 year old Quarter Horse Gelding.
Problem:Swelling on the left side of his face that had been getting progressively bigger despite administration of oral antibiotics. Horse also had more problems eating hay.
Examination:The third upper left cheek tooth [#208] was found to be loose/mobile.
Diagnosis: Abscess of #208 cheek tooth.
Treatment Plan:Oral extraction of 208 tooth. The alveolus was not packed because it was very shallow. The horse was placed on oral antibiotics for another month to address the remaining abscess. Post extraction radiographs were taken to ensure removal of all of the tooth.