Introduction to Small Animal Dentistry Flashcards
(36 cards)
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
