Lecture 2: Dental records

Question 1

Two common ways of dental naming

Answer 1

Anatomic
Triadan system
Both are acceptable and each has advantages and disadvantages

Question 2

Anatomic system of teeth naming

Answer 2

The letter corresponding to the tooth is shown
The tooth number is expressed as a superscript or subscript to either the right or left of the letter
This depicts which arcade the tooth is in – upper vs lower and left vs right

Question 3

Cats are missing

Answer 3

Missing maxillary P1 and mandibular P1 and P2 (P3/2)

Question 4

Advantage of anatomic system

Answer 4

Easy to remember since it uses anatomic terms most people already know
Can refer to many teeth at once

Question 5

Disadvantages of anatomical system

Answer 5

Time consuming compared to Triadan system
Difficult with computer as coding with alphanumeric is difficult

Question 6

Triadan system is

Answer 6

Uses 3 numbers
1st digit identifies which quadrant the tooth is in
The other 2 digits identify the specific tooth
Start upper right and move clockwise when looking at the animal.

Question 7

Deciduous teeth quadrents

Answer 7

Deciduous teeth identified as being in quadrants:
Upper right - 5
Upper left - 6
Lower left - 7
Lower right - 8

Question 8

How to count the teeth

Answer 8

Teeth are numbered starting at the front of the mouth at the central incisors
1st incisor = 01
Canine = 04
1st Premolar = 05
4th Premolar = 08
1st Molar = 09

Question 9

The rule of 4 and 9 is

Answer 9

Used in species with fewer teeth – rule states that 04 always designates the canine tooth and 09 always designates the 1st molar
The count goes backwards with 4th premolar being 08 and 3rd premolar being 07, etc.
By using this system identical teeth will have identical numbers in different species!

Question 10

Feline are missing

Answer 10

105 - 1st maxillary premolar on right
205 - 1st maxillary premolar on the left
305 - 1st mandibular premolar on left
405 - 1st mandibular premolar on the lower left
306 - 2nd mandibular premolar on the left
406 - 2nd premolar on the lower right

Question 11

Advantage of triadan system

Answer 11

Can be used with any computer
Not as cumbersome when it comes to recording data on patient files

Question 12

Disadvantages of triadan system

Answer 12

Not intuitive
Must know the code in order to work with it
Not as universal or as easy to learn

Question 13

Canine teeth in horse

Answer 13

Canine teeth are usually absent or rudimentary in female horses
Males, however, typically have 4 permanent canine that erupt at 4 – 6 years of age in the diastema between the incisors and the cheek teeth

Question 14

Wolf teeth in horse

Answer 14

permanent 1st premolars
Much smaller and located rostral to other premolars
The first premolar has no deciduous precursor
Present in only 25% of the female and 15% of the male horse population
More common in maxilla
Often extracted due to oral discomfort from contact with bit

Question 15

Why are accurate records important

Answer 15

Accurate records are very important
Continuity
Ability to communicate with others
Can put down all the info in writing and use diagrams and marks to describe the pathology found in the mouth

Question 16

How to make sure records are accurate

Answer 16

Get in the habit of charting both before dental procedures and after completion
Chart the condition of the oral cavity and dentition as you do your oral exam
Chart all procedures performed and resulting conditions at completion of dental
This aids in billing and gives you a point if comparison when the animal is next seen for dental work
There are several different types of dental charts available
Which type of chart and coding you use depends on personal preference