ANATOMY - Carnivore Dentition Flashcards
- Carnivore (canine, feline) tooth anatomy - Carnivore (canine, feline) dental formulae
What is the occlusal surface of the tooth?
The surface where the top and bottom teeth come together
What is the crown of the tooth?
The crown of the tooth is the whole region of the tooth that is covered in enamel
What is the difference between the clinical crown and the anatomical crown?
Clinical crown: the area of the crown above the gum line
Anatomical crown: the area of the crown below the gum line
(T/F) Enamel can regenerate itself
FALSE. Enamel is acellular and thus cannot regenerate
What is the main component of enamel?
Hydroxyapatite crystals
What is the layer of material that lies immediately
underneath the enamel of the tooth?
Dentine
Which cells produce dentine and where are they located within the tooth?
Dentine is produced by odontoblasts which line the pulp cavity
What are the four components of the pulp cavity?
Vascular connective tissue
Lymphoid tissue
Nerve supply
Odontoblasts
Why is the nerve supply to the pulp cavity described as ‘simple’?
The nerves that supply the pulp cavity interpret any mechanical, thermal or chemical stimuli as pain and thus are described as a ‘simple’ nerve supply
Where does both the nerve and blood supply exit the pulp cavity?
Both the blood and nerve supply exit the pulp cavity at the apical foramen
Why does the pulp cavity shrink throughout life?
The odontoblasts lining the pulp cavity continually produce dentine throughout life, leading to the shrinking of the pulp cavity
What is the purpose of the cement that surrounds the root of the tooth?
Cement is resistant to pressure erosion and thus protects the tooth from the pressure exerted by teeth and jaw bones
What is the name of the bony lining of the alveolus?
The lamina dura
Which structure attaches the cement surrounding the root of the tooth to the lamina dura lining the alveolus?
Periodontal ligament
What is the collective name for the structures which surround and support the tooth?
Periodontal structures
What are the three periodontal structures?
Gingiva
Periodontal ligament
Alveoli
What are alveoli?
Alveoli are tooth sockets
What is the point of attachment between the teeth and the gingivae?
Gingival sulcus
What is the function of the gingival sulcus?
The gingival sulcus has a puddle of protective saliva where the teeth and gingiva meet that protects against dental and periodontal disease
What can an increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus indicate?
An increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus can indicate periodontal disease
What is the normal depth of the gingival sulcus in dogs and cats?
Dogs: less than 3mm deep
Cats: less than 0.5mm deep
What is the name of the collagen fibres which make up the periodontal ligament?
Sharpey’s fibres
What is the consequence of dental and/or periodontal disease of the periodontal ligament?
Dental/periodontal disease breaks down the periodontal ligament which loosens the tooth from the alveolus
What does Technodont stand for?
Technodonty species have individual alveoli for the root of each tooth
What does Diphydont stand for?
Diphydont species have a set of deciduous teeth
What does Heterodont stand for?
Heterodont species have more than one tooth morphology
What does Secodont stand for?
Secodont species have teeth with only sharp cutting edges
Give an example of a species that is a secodont?
Feline species are secodonts
Describe the process of permanent teeth eruption
The permanent tooth rises into the alveolus of the deciduous tooth, causing pressure erosion of the deciduous tooth leading it to eventually fall out. The permanent tooth will grow into the vacated alveolus and form a root
What are the carnassial teeth?
Carnassial teeth are shearing teeth (upper PM4 and lower M1)
What is the dental formula for most complete mammalian teeth arrangement?
3-1-4-3 / 3-1-4-3
What is the canine permanent dental formula?
3-1-4-2 / 3-1-4-3
What is the canine deciduous dental formula?
3-1-3 / 3-1-3
What is the feline permanent dental formula?
3-1-3-1 / 3-1-2-1
What is the feline deciduous dental formula?
3-1-3 / 3-1-2
What is the arterial supply for the maxillary teeth?
Branch of the maxillary artery
What is the arterial supply for the mandibular teeth?
Inferior alveolar artery
Which nerve innervates the maxillary teeth?
Infraorbital nerve
Which nerve innervates the mandibular teeth?
Inferior alveolar nerve
