Veterinary Dentistry Today

Hi John,

    Both mandibular canines are unerupted and dentigerous cysts are forming around the cementoenamel junction.  This is because the root sheath remnant remains in the bone and will form cysts since it is not in the pocket as the junctional epithelium where it should be.  Both of those canines should be surgically removed.  If not the cyst will expand and destroy the mandibular bone.  I have had these where they have expanded to involve the incisors to the first molar almost necessitating mandibulectomy.  The teeth with the enamel hypocalcification will require cavity preparation bonding and composite restoration or extraction depending on the extent, current apical pathology, root formation and the owners input on a tooth by tooth basis.  309 and 409 will likely develop periodontal diseae and need to be extracted at some point if not now depending on gross evaluation.  I would be glad to approach this case next month when I am at AVS.  Please have the owners call Sarah for an appointment.  Thanks for sharing this case.  Please feel free to call me any time if you have questions.  You and Dr. Blake are ahead of the curve in dentistry, I commend you both.

Take care,

Brett

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
www.veterinarydentistry.net
www.veterinarydentistry.net/blog
www.facebook.com/brett.beckman

Dr. Beckman,

It’s John again, the dental tech from lake emma animal hospital.  Dr. Blake requested if you could evaluate an interesting case we had here.  The patient is a two year old labrador with enamel hypoplasia, the enamel actually began to scale away during the prophylaxis.  The roots are missing from 108,208,309 and 409, but the crowns appears to be healthy.  There are retained roots on teeth 304, 308 and 404, 408.  405 is malpositioned almost to the point of being inverted.  104 has a fractured crown and 310,311,410, and 411 appear to have root pathologies.  Dr. Blake attempted to extract 304 but decided to leave it due to the depth at which the tooth was under the jaw bone and how close it was to the ventral aspect of the jaw.  He was able to extract 305 in the process of exposing the root for 304.  This was a case we were going to ask for your advice on during the dental technician course this month and will most likely refer it to you when you are at AVS next but wished to hear your insight on it.  We have full mouth dental radiographs on the patient for your evaluation.  Enclosed are films on 304 (pre-extraction), 409/408,  308/309, and 404.  Other films can be readily emailed at your request.  Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Rosado and the rest of the staff at Lake Emma Animal Hospital.

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
www.veterinarydentistry.net
www.veterinarydentistry.net/blog
www.facebook.com/brett.beckman

This question came in today

My name is John Rosado and I am a dental technician from Lake Emma Animal Hospital.  I am emailing you on behalf of Dr. David Blake and Dr. John Dee for your evaluation of the following dental radiographs.  The patient is a 12 year old chow mix presenting with unilateral epistaxis of the right nostril for 2 weeks.  Dr. Blake wished to ask if tooth number 108 has a root abscess forming on the distal root and, if so, could this be a possible cause for the nose bleed.  Also, would extraction of the tooth and antibiotics alleviate the symptoms.  The tooth in question is fairly worn with pulp chamber exposure as well as a 4 mm pocket on the distal aspect.  Enclosed are copies of the films on tooth 108 and a couple of the sinuses.  Any information and/or guidance you could provide on this case would be greatly appreciated.

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
www.veterinarydentistry.net
www.veterinarydentistry.net/blog
www.facebook.com/brett.beckman

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
www.veterinarydentistry.net
www.veterinarydentistry.net/blog
www.facebook.com/brett.beckman

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
www.veterinarydentistry.net
www.veterinarydentistry.net/blog
www.facebook.com/brett.beckman