Horse teeth may be the result of an incisor malocclusion (e.g. ventral=overbite/dorsal=underbite). The curvature may also be diagonal, stemming from a wear pattern, offset incisors, or pain in the cheek teeth (rather than the incisors), which causes the horse to chew in one direction over the other. Other common problems include abscessed, loose, infected, or cracked teeth, retained deciduous teeth, and plaque build up. Wolf teeth may also cause problems, and are many times removed, as are retained caps. To help prevent dental problems, it is recommended to get a horse's teeth checked by a vet or equine dental technician every 6
Hinge teeth sides). This arrangement is characteristic of the venus clams (Veneridae), the cockles (Cardiidae) and several other important groups. In the "desmodont" hinge, also known as an "asthenodont" hinge, the hinge consists of a large ligamentous resilifer (or chondrophore) which replaces the cardinal teeth, as in the soft-shell clams (Myidae). The "anodont" hinge is characterized by a strong ligament (or a series of transverse ligamental grooves as in the "Isognomonidae"), however, true teeth are absent in adults as is the case in the pen shells (Pinnidae), tree oysters (Isognomonidae), the pearl oysters (Pteriidae), and some freshwater mussels such as the genus