Introduction to Small Animal Dentistry Flashcards
Teeth number 202 reprsents?
Left maxillary 2nd incisor
Name all of the teeth in a canine permanent dentition
I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 4/4, M 2/3
= 42 teeth
Name all of the teeth in a feline permanent dentition
I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 3/2, 1/1
= 30 teeth
Describe the 4 surfaces of the teeth
- Rostral = Towards the nose
- Lingual (mand)/Palatal (max) = Towards the tongue
- Vestibular/Buccal/Labial = Towards the cheek
- Caudal = Towards the tail
Describe the features of enamel
- 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
What are the consequences of damage to the enamel?
When damaged -> plaque retention -> periodontal disease
Describe the features of dentine
- Encloses the pulp cavity
- Softer and darker than enamel
- Capable of some regeneration
Where is dentine produced?
Originates from odontoblasts lining the pulp cavity
Describe the features of the pulp
- Sensitive tissue; exposure = pain
- Sensory nerves, arteries, veins,
- Lymphatic capillaries and connective tissue
- Crown portion = pulp cavity
- Root portion = root cavity
The alveolar bone like material covering the root surface is called?
The cementum
The cementum is the attachment point for?
The periodontal ligament
What is the function of the periodontal ligament?
- Attachment of root cementum to alveolar bone
- Allows slight movement and absorbs impact
Describe the structure and function of the gingiva
- Epithelial tissues and connective tissue around the teeth.
- Barrier for external environment
The gingiva is made up of which 3 parts?
- Free gingiva
- Attached gingiva
- Gingival sulcus
The alveolar bone consists of which 5 components?
- Periosteum
- Compact bone
- Cancellous bone
- Cribriform plate
- Tooth sockets in the maxilla and mandible
All deciduous dentition should be present at how old in puppies and kittens?
6 weeks
What are the main considerations in adult patients surrounding dental issues?
- High incidence of dental disease in adult patients: 87% dogs over 3 years, 70% cats over 3 years
- Owners can dismiss clinical signs and may not be aware of the severity of disease
- Routine dental examination IMPORTANT part of any consultation or annual booster
What questions/ considerations should be asked when obtaining the dental history of a patient?
- Oral health information
- Rule out concurrent diseases
- Assess American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status of patient
- Appetite/drinking changes (oral pain)
- Viral infections (especially cats!)
- Previous dental work undertaken
- At home dental care routine
When examining the external features of the head what should be looked for?
- Facial symmetry
- Palpation of facial bones and muscles
- Palpation of LN and salivary glands
- Assessment of eye position
- Assessment of temporomandibular joint
What features should be assessed during the initial oral exam?
- Signs of periodontal disease: calculus, gingivitis, gingival recession, tooth mobility.
- Missing teeth
- Examination of oral soft tissues: tongue, caudal mouth, pharynx and vestibular mucosa
What is occlusion?
(The ‘bite’) = relationship between teeth in the same jaw and in opposing jaw.
What features determine occlusion?
The shape of the head
Jaw length
Position of the teeth
- brachycephalic most affected
What is malocclusion?
Abnormality in the position of the teeth
Compare skeletal and dental malocclusion
- Skeletal Malocclusion: Jaw length or width discrepancy e.g. brachycephalic patient
- Dental Malocclusion: Teeth malposition e.g. rotated premolars due to overcrowding
Describe the features of normal occlusion
- Scissor bite
- Upper incisors slightly rostral to lower incisors
- Interdigitation of canines
- Interdigitation of premolars
- The lower canine tooth should fit into the diastema (space) between the upper canine tooth and the lateral incisor tooth
Define brachygnathism
The mandible is too short relative to the maxilla
Describe the features of brachygnathism
- Short mandible vs long maxilla
- Overshot/overbite in lay terms
- Brachy = short
- Gnathism = facial angle
- In mildly brachygnathic mouths the lower canine will be in contact with the upper canine. The lower incisors will be further behind the upper incisors and so may touch the mucosa of the palate.
- In more severe brachygnathic mouths the lower canine teeth can be trapped inside (medial to) or even behind the upper canine teeth, also the premolar and incisor relationship will have greater discrepancy
Define Prognathism
The mandible is too long relative to the maxilla
Describe the features of Prognathism
- Breeders call this condition “undershot”
- Long mandible vs short maxilla
- Boxers = true maxillary prognathism; normal mandible, shortened maxilla
- Pro = long
- Gnathism = facial angle
Which instruments are needed when examining an anesthetised patients oral cavity?
- Sharp explorer probe
- Periodontal probe
- Dental chart
Which toots are used for scaling and polishing?
- Ultrasonic scalers with a fine scaler tip (ideal) vs hand scalers
- Curettes - sub and supra gingival scaling. Only instrument available to scale deep pockets and to perform root planning
- Air driven turbine with disposable prophy cups
- Individual prophy paste pots
What are some other hand instruments used during dentals?
- Calculus forceps: Crack off large pieces of calculus.
- Dental explorer probe No 6: right angle & straight type
- Periodontal probe No14. Pocket measuring probe
What is the function of luxators?
Used to CUT down the periodontal ligament- DON’T use for leverage
What is the function of elevators?
- Have a Thick Shank- FAT/STRONG
- Used to BREAK DOWN and STRETCH the periodontal ligament- apical pressure and leverage
What is the function of forceps?
- Rotational force- CARE not to snap the crown
- Just to be used when periodontal ligament is broken
What is the gold standard for dentals?
Dental radiography
