Intro to Dentistry

Question 1

What should one check in a neonate and 8 week old puppy?

Answer 1

Cleft palate in neonate Occlusion & correct number of teeth

Question 2

Describe the normal occlusion of a dog.

Answer 2

1. Maxillary incisors in front of mandibular 2. Mandibular canine in front of maxillary 3. Zig zag pattern of pre molar occlusion 4. Upper PM4 should be buccal to lower PM1

Question 3

What are common malocclusions that may need correcting?

Answer 3

Lingually displaced mandibular canine Persistant deciduous teeth Supernumary teeth

Question 4

What is ‘mixed dentition’?

Answer 4

When an animal is teething there may be both permanent and deciduous teeth present. It is only when a permanent tooth has erupted and the deciduous tooth is still there that this is a pathology.

Question 5

How should a persistent deciduous tooth be treated?

Answer 5

Dental radiographs Extraction

Question 6

What is the most common persistent deciduous tooth?

Answer 6

The canines

Question 7

What are the reasons teeth might be missing?

Answer 7

Hypodontia Impacted/imbedded tooth Traumatic crown fracture below gingival margin Previous extraction

Question 8

How would one determine the reason for a missing tooth?

Answer 8

Radiography!

Question 9

How can hypoplastic enamel occur?

Answer 9

Can be due to slow development before eruption of the tooth.

Question 10

What are the differentials for a lack of crown structure?

Answer 10

Abrasions - contact with an object Attrition - contact with other teeth -formation of reperative dentine or, -pulp exposure Fractures - pulp exposure - root fracture - crown and root fracture - chip fracture - pulpal blush Intrinsic staining

Question 11

How can pulp exposure be distinguished from reparative dentine?

Answer 11

Run a probe over the surface. Pulp exposure will be a hole whereas reparative dentine has a hard continuous surface.

Question 12

Where do draining sinus tracts often occur and why?

Answer 12

At the muco-gingival junction as this is where the junctions between epithelial cells are at their weakest.

Question 13

What does the following radiograph depict?

Answer 13

An apical tooth infection.

Question 14

How is a fractured tooth treated?

Answer 14

• Analgesia
• Antibiotics if there is an abscess or if keeping tooth viable for specialist surgery (in puppies)
• Then:
  
  • Extraction
  • Vital Pulp Treatment
  • Root canal therapy

Question 15

What needs to be done to diagnose an oral mass lesion?

Answer 15

Radiographs and biopsy

Question 16

Does oral neoplasia always present as a mass?

Answer 16

No, it can also present as a destructive lesion.

Question 17

What would a speckled lesion on a radiograph indicate?

Answer 17

An oral mass lesion. A gingival mass may be called an ossifying epulis

Question 18

What should be added to the regular history taking in terms of oral problems?

Answer 18

• Type & frequency of oral home care
• Wet or dry diet
• Availability of chewing objects
• Chewing behaviour

Question 19

Describe an oral examination.

Answer 19

1. Observe
   
   1. Symetry
   2. Discharges
   3. Skin lesions
2. Palpate
   
   1. Bones (Orbit, zygomatic arch, ventral mandible)
   2. External masticatory muscles
   3. Mandibular lymph nodes
3. Retro-pulse eyes
4. Lift lip margins
5. Assess visually:
   
   1. Buccal and lingual mucosa
   2. Buccal aspect of teeth
   3. Occlusion (closed mouth)
6. Open mouth
   
   1. Tip - press
7. 1.

Question 20

When does eruption of decidouos teeth start and finish?

Answer 20

3-4 weeks and finishes between 2-3 months

Question 21

What is the dental formula of:

a) a puppy
b) a kitten
c) a dog
d) a cat

Answer 21

a) I 3/3 C 1/1 PM3/3
b) I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 2/3
c) I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 4/4 M 3/4
d) I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 2/3 M 1/1
n. b. that the carnassial teeth are counted first in the cat this is maxilla PM4 and mandibular M1.

Question 22

When do adult teeth erupt in dogs?

Answer 22

between 3-7 months

and canines between 4-6 months