Dentistry Flashcards
crown
portion of the tooth above the gum line, covered by enamel
root
portion of the tooth below the gum line
apex
tip of the tooth root
gingiva
gums or mucous membrane surrounding the teeth
soft tissue that provides epithelial attachment
enamel
outer covering of the crown, hardest tissue in the body with no sensory capacity, relatively nonporous
dentin
lining below the enamel that lines the pulp cavity
2nd hardest tissue in the body and composes the bulk of the tooth
pulp cavity
sensitive cavity in the tooth containing blood supply and nerves
called the root canal within the root
periodontium
supportive tissue of the teeth
what is the periodontum made up of?
cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, gingiva, and gingival sulcus
cementum
avascular bonelike material that covers the root
attached to the alveolar bone by the periodontal ligament
periodontal ligament
holds tooth in alveolus through attachment to the alveolar bone
supplies nutrients to the alveolar bone and cementum via arterioles
alveolar bone
surrounds and supports teeth
gingival sulcus
space between gingiva and the tooth
buccal
tooth surface towards the cheek
labial
tooth surface towards the lips
lingual
mandibular tooth surface towards the tongue
palatal
maxillary tooth surface towards the palate
mesial
tooth surface towards the midline at the front of mouth
distal
tooth surface towards the back of the mouth
occlusal
chewing surface
coronal
tooth surface towards the crown
apical
tooth surface towards the apex
heterodont
domestic animals, teeth of differing shapes and sizes
humans
brachydont
small crowns with well-developed roots
dogs, cats, pigs
hypsodont
aka elodont
teeth that grow throughout a lifetime
cows, horses, rodents, lagomorphs
dog dental formula
2( I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3)
42 total
cat dental formula
2( I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/2, M 1/1)
30 total
which teeth are the carnassial teeth on a dog?
4th upper premolar and 1st lower molar
normal occlusion
aka scissor bite
upper incisors rostral to the lower
lower canines fit in space between upper canines and 3rd incisor (shouldn’t touch)
lower 1st premolar are most rostral, upper arcade fits into spaces between lower premolars
upper 4th premolar overlaps the lower 1st molar
normal skull shape
mesocephalic
class 1 malocclusion (MAL/I)
aka neutroclusion
maxilla/mandible correctly proportioned but 1 or more teeth are misaligned
many types including “crossbites”
class II malocclusion (MAL/II)
aka distoclusion
teeth of the mandible don’t align with corresponding teeth of maxilla
mandibular brachygnathism (too short)
“overbite”
class III malocclusion (MAL/III)
aka mesioclusion
teeth of mandible align rostral to corresponding teeth of maxilla
mandible is forward (too long): prognathism
“underbite”
malocclusion IV (wry bite)
refers to a variety of unilateral occlusal abnormalities
only 1 quadrant of mandible or maxilla is affected where 1 segment of the jaw is unevenly longer than the other half
“side-to-side malocclusion” is more appropriate than “wry bite”
retained deciduous teeth
should be extracted if present when adult counterparts erupt (by 6 months) or if fractured then immediately
may cause abnormal alignment/calculus buildup
more common in toy breeds
what is the periodontal probe used for?
to evaluate the depths of the pockets (sulcus) surrounding the teeth
normal gingival sulcus (dogs and cats)
dog: 3mm
cat: 0.5-1mm
gingivitis
inflammation of gingiva caused by plaque
reversible with proper treatment: dental scaling and curettage (+/- extraction), and oral hygiene
gingival hyperplasia
gingival tissue becomes inflamed and enlarged
common in boxers, great danes, and mastiffs
surgical removal
epulis (epulides)
benign gingival tumor
surgical removal is curative
papillomas
pale, cauliflower-like growths
often a viral cause in dogs and is contagious (papillomatosis)
may occur orally, on muzzle, limbs, paws
stomatitis
painful inflammatory condition that affects gingiva and caudal mouth in cats
may be immune-mediated
symptoms: pain, severe halitosis, increased salivation, anorexia, weight loss
tx: possible steroids and antibiotics, full mouth extraction is recommended
periodontal disease
gingival disease caused by plaque-induced inflammation to supporting structures of the teeth (soft tissue and bone)
includes gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia, periodontitis with bone destruction
may lead to bone loss
plaque
biofilm of microorganisms in mouth (bacteria, saliva, debris)
calculus
tartar
mineralized plaque
periodontal disease stage 1
gingivitis only
periodontal disease stage 2
early periodontitis, < 25% support loss
periodontal disease stage 3
established periodontitis, 25-50% support loss
periodontal disease stage 4
advanced periodontitis, > 50% support loss
dental disease grade 0
no plaque/gingivitis present
dental disease grade 1
mild gingivitis and plaque present
dental disease grade 2
mild-moderate tartar (mineralized plaque and bacteria) and gingivitis present on multiple teeth
dental disease grade 3
heavy tartar and periodontal disease with bone loss present
dental disease grade 4
severe tartar, periodontal disease, and oral pain present
local analgesia use in dentistry
blocks dental pain especially prior to extractions
used as an adjunct to opioids and NSAIDs
supplies typically used for dental local analgesia
25G needle and lidocaine/bupivacaine
when should you be cautious of needle direction and depth?
in cats and brachycephalic dog breeds
rostral maxillary (infraorbital) nerve block
blocks pain mesial to the 3rd premolar
caudal maxillary nerve block
blocks pain rostral to the maxillary molar on side of the block
rostral mandibular (middle mental) nerve block
blocks pain rostral to the mandibular 2nd premolar
caudal mandibular (inferior alveolar) nerve block
blocks all oral structures of the corresponding side of the mandible
can be accessed intraorally or extraorally
resorptive lesions
“feline neck lesions” or FORL (feline oral resorptive lesion
an erosion in the enamel that may be covered with calculus or gingival tissue (1st appear at cementoenamel junction or neck)
may be painful and cause a change in appetite/behavior
lesions spread quickly once they reach the pulp cavity
extraction is only treatment
melanoma
most common oral neoplasm in dogs, rare in cats
causes bone destruction locally
malignant and spreads to the regional lymph nodes and lungs
treatment: partial removal of maxilla/mandible, radiation therapy
squamous cell carcinoma
most common oral tumor in cats, 2nd most common in dogs
rapid growth, often ulcerated, invades bone, slow metastasis
tumors located more rostrally have better prognosis and may be surgically resected, slow to metastasize
which organization approves dental products for home care?
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
what is the gold standard for home dental care?
daily teeth brushing
