Small Mammal Dentistry Flashcards
_________ is a tooth with a limited period of growth
anelodont
_________ is a term for continuously growing teeth that have no “root” but rather germinal tissue at their base.
elodont
___________ are open-rooted teeth. Rabbits and rodents have these type.
Aradicular
__________ are closed-rooted teeth. Horses have these type.
Radicular
__________ is the portion of the tooth covered by enamel
anatomical crown
_____________ is the portion of the crown above the gingiva
clinical crown
____________ is the portion of the crown below the gingiva
reserve crown
____________are long-crowned teeth
hypsodont
___________ are short-crowned teeth
brachyodont
The incisors of most small mammals are classified as:
A. radicular brachyodont
B. aradicular hypsodont
C. radicular hypsodont
D. aradicular brachyodont
B. aradicular hypsodont
what are peg teeth and what species are they found in?
second set of maxillary incisors in rabbits
which is softer and wears down more readily – dentine or enamel?
detine
T/F: teeth shape and symmetry differentiate the rodent groups
false
masseter muscle placement does.
What is required in order to assess cheek teeth in small mammals?
a speculum (plastic otoscope or nasal speculum)
What should you make sure you assess in an oral exam on guinea pigs?
the tongue – it can get trapped under their teeth
T/F: rabbits have all open rooted aradicular hypsodont teeth
true!
they grow 10-12 cm per year and can overgrow
T/F: normally, a rabbits mandible sits within the maxilla
true
T/F: malformation of rabbit incisors may cause improper wear of the cheek teeth, eventually leading to the development of sharp points and overgrowth of the cheek teeth.
true
T/F: a malformation of a cheek tooth in rabbits does not usually cause any issues
False – may cause improper occlusion of other cheek teeth or the incisors, causing improper tooth wear and overgrowth.
Rabbit teeth wear by grinding against ____________.
themselves!
What are 2 ‘acquired’ etiologies for malocclusion in rabbits?
- vitamin D deficiency (indoor rabbits)
- inadequate/improper chewing motion (pellet diet/no hay or veggies, or pain from jaw disease/middle ear disease)
how do you detect/diagnose incisor malocclusion in rabbits?
the lower incisors will likely grow upwards outside of the mouth; may see injury to tongue or roof of mouth from the upper incisors growing into the mouth.
this rabbit will NOT have difficult eating and therefore malocclusion may not be noticed until it is advanced.
how do you detect/diagnose cheek teeth malocclusion in rabbits?
Difficulty eating, slobbering, dropping food, weight loss despite good appetite.
Molar teeth overgrow from uneven wear and create points on inner edges of lower teeth and outer edges of upper teeth.
what are secondary clinical signs of malocclusion in rabbits?
- nasolacrimal duct blockage
- exophthalmos
- facial swelling
- lip and dewlap dermatitis from slobbering
How do you treat malocclusion in rabbits?
It will be a lifelong problem that will require lifelong trimming/shaping of teeth every 3-4 weeks OR extractions.
T/F: for trimming rabbit teeth in a case of malocclusion, you must torque the teeth
FALSE – do not torque the teeth; avoid using scissors or nail trimmers.
T/F: you can trim rabbit incisors while the rabbit remains awake
true!
just be careful of the tongue and lips and use a high-speed dental handpiece with light water.
T/F: you should anesthetize rabbits that require trimming of their molars and only trim them using a high-speed dental handpiece.
FALSE – yes they require anesthesia, but you should use a LOW speed dental handpiece with a guarded grinder NOT a cutting bit. You definitely want to be cautious of the tongue
When extracting teeth, you need to ensure ALL ___________ is removed.
germinal tissue and infected tissue
Which of the following is TRUE regarding malocclusions in rabbits?
A. the recommendation that it is appropriate to breed these animals
B. recommend the owner feed more hay/veggies
C. recommend the owner provide the animal with more toys and chewing objects
B. recommend the owner feed more hay/veggies
you should not breed them because malocclusion can be congenital. and, toys/chewing objects have NO beneficial effect on tooth wear.
Which 3 species have ALL elodont teeth?
- guinea pigs
- chinchillas
- degus
which 5 species have only elodont front teeth?
rats
mice
hamsters
gerbils
prairie dogs
T/F: guinea pig mouths cannot open as wide as rabbit mouths
true
What is different about the occlusive plane of the top and bottom molars in guinea pigs?
there is a 30 degree occlusive plane between their top and bottom molars
(they are very curved)
T/F: guinea pig upper cheek teeth lie deep to the zygomatic arch and are just below the eye
TRUE this is why they are hidden on dental xrays
T/F: congenital incisor malocclusion has not been reported in guinea pigs or chinchillas
TRUE
What causes tongue entrapment in guinea pigs? (Be specific)
lower cheek teeth overgrowing medially
in which direction do upper cheek teeth usually overgrow in guinea pigs?
laterally into the cheeks
what are clinical signs associated with malocclusion in guinea pigs?
- weight loss
- excess salivation
- change in food choices and prehension
- facial swelling
- exophthalmos
- no food present in their mouth on oral exam
what is the treatment for malocclusion in guinea pigs?
trimming teeth frequently
extractions if tongue entrapment is present (difficult)
why are teeth extractions difficult in guinea pigs? (3 reasons)
- teeth are curved
- Jaws are shielded by muscle and bone
- mouth is small
how can you prevent guinea pigs and chinchillas from developing malocclusions?
- good genetic stock
- encourage chewing of course materials (more hay, less pellets)
What type of teeth do chinchillas have?
aradicular hypsodont
T/F: all of a chinchilla’s teeth are normally stained yellow and orange
false – only the incisors
Why are rabbit and chinchilla teeth LESS difficult to work with?
they have 90 degree occlusal planes as opposed to 30 degree like in guinea pigs.
T/F: acquired cheek teeth malocclusions in chinchillas are most often trauma related
false – they are age-related
T/F: chinchillas that develop cheek teeth malocclusions are at higher risk of tongue entrapment than rabbits or guinea pigs
false - they dont experience tongue entrapment.
how do you treat malocclusions in chinchillas?
trim teeth or extract
abscessed teeth are more uncommon in chinchillas than other species. and, chinchillas seem to tolerate severe disease better than other species.
T/F: cheek teeth have the most issues in rats and mice
false – incisors
what is the difference between incisors and cheek teeth in rats and mice?
incisors = aradicular hypsodont
cheek teeth = anelodont brachyodont; thin and multirooted.
