Intro to SA dentistry

Question 1

What is the deciduous formula of Dogs?

Answer 1

I 3/3: C1/1: P3/3 = 38

Question 2

What is the permanent teeth formula of dogs?

Answer 2

I 3/3: C 1/1: P 4/4: M 2/3 = 42

Question 3

What is the deciduous formula of a cat?

Answer 3

I 3/3: C 1/1: P 3/2 = 26

Question 4

What is the permanent teeth formula of a cat?

Answer 4

I 3/3: C1/1: P3/2: M 1/1 = 40

Question 5

Working from the outside in, what is the anatomy of the tooth?

Answer 5

Outer = enamel
Middle = dentine
Inner = pulp cavity

Question 6

What is the gum around the teeth known as?

Answer 6

Gingiva

Question 7

What is the ligament that holds the tooth in the socket?

Answer 7

Periodontal ligament

Question 8

What is the enamel?

Answer 8

 White, smooth outer layer of the crown
 No Nerve or blood supply
 Hardest/most mineralized substance in the body
 Protective of the sensitive tooth structures

Question 9

What happens when the enamel is damaged?

Answer 9

 When damaged -> plaque retention -> periodontal disease

Question 10

What is the dentine?

Answer 10

 Encloses the pulp cavity
 Softer and darker than enamel
 Capable of some regeneration

Question 11

What does dentine originate from?

Answer 11

 Originates from odontoblasts lining the pulp cavity

Question 12

What is the pulp?

Answer 12

 Sensitive tissue; exposure = pain
 Sensory nerves, arteries, veins,
 Lymphatic capillaries and connective tissue
 Crown portion = pulp cavity
 Root portion = root cavity

Question 13

What is between the tooth and the periodontal ligament?

Answer 13

Cementum

Question 14

What is the cementum?

Answer 14

 Avascular bone like material
 Covers root surface
 Attachment point for periodontal
ligament

Question 15

What is the periodontal ligament?

Answer 15

 Connective tissue and sensory innervations
 Attachment of root cementum to alveolar bone
 Allows slight movement and absorbs impact

Question 16

What is the gingiva?

Answer 16

 Epithelial tissues and connective
tissue around the teeth.
 Barrier for external environment

Question 17

What does the alveolar bone consist of?

Answer 17

 Periosteum
 Compact bone
 Cancellous bone
 Cribiform plate – contains canals that transmit blood vessels

Question 18

By what age should all deciduous teeth be present in puppies + kittens?

Answer 18

6 weeks

Question 19

What is the pattern with permanent eruption of teeth?

Answer 19

*The incisors at the centre erupt first work towards corner
*The more rostral molar erupt first
*The first + 4th premolar erupt before 2+3

Question 20

What is occlusion?

Answer 20

(the ‘bite’ = relationship between teeth in maxilla and mandible

Question 21

What is malocclusion?

Answer 21

Abnormality in the position of the teeth

Question 22

What is skeletal malocclusion?

Answer 22

Jaw length or width discrepancy e.g. brachycephalic patient

Question 23

What is dental malocclusion?

Answer 23

Teeth malposition e.g. rotated premolars due to overcrowding

Question 24

What is normal occlusion?

Answer 24

Upper incisors slightly rostral to lower incisors

Question 25

What is Brachygnathism?

Answer 25

 The mandible is too short relative to the maxilla
 May be referred to as ‘overshot/overbite’ in lay terms
 Canines may traumatise hard palate

Question 26

What is Prognathism?

Answer 26

 Lay terms “undershot”
 The mandible is too long relative to the maxilla
 Long mandible vs short maxilla
 Boxers = true maxillary prognathism; normal mandible, shortened maxilla

Question 27

Why is dental exam important in adult patients?

Answer 27

To detect dental disease
 87% dogs over 3 years
 70% cats over 3 years

Question 28

When examining the head what should you do?

Answer 28

 Facial symmetry
 Palpation of facial bones and muscles
 Palpation of LN and salivary glands
 Assessment of eye position
 Assessment of temporomandibular joint

Question 29

When doing an oral exam what should you do?

Answer 29

 Signs of periodontal disease: calculus, gingivitis, gingival recession, tooth mobility.
 Missing teeth, loose teeth
 Halitosis
 Examination of oral soft tissues: tongue, caudal mouth, pharynx
 (Mal)occlusion

Question 30

What are the essential dental equipment for scaling and polishing?

Answer 30

 Ultrasonic scalers with a fine scaler tip
 Curettes - sub and supra gingival scaling. Only instrument available to scale deep pockets and to perform root planning
 Polishing - Air driven turbine and prophy paste

Question 31

What are other essential hand instruments?

Answer 31

 Calculus forceps: Crack off large pieces of calculus
 Dental explorer probe No 6: right angle & straight type
 Periodontal probe No14. Pocket measuring probe

Question 32

What are essential tooth extraction equipment?

Answer 32

 Air turbine handpiece drill - to section teeth
 Luxators
-Thin end- SLIM/FRAGILE
-Used to CUT down the periodontal ligament- DON’T use for leverage
 Elevators
-Have a thicker shank - FAT/STRONG
-Rotation to BREAK DOWN and STRETCH the periodontal ligament
 Forceps:
-Rotational force- CARE not to
snap the crown
 Periosteal elevator
-Sharp tipped. Used for open (surgical)
extractions

Question 33

What are essential equipment for dental radiography?

Answer 33

 Dental X-ray machine
-GOLD STANDARD, especially for cats
 Digital vs film
-Digital slightly more expensive to purchase but cheaper to run
-Faster and easier to retrieve the
radiographs
 Handheld vs wall mounted

Question 34

What is the name of the system used to number teeth?

Answer 34

Modified Triadan system