Veterinary Dentistry Today

This middle aged greyhound had a prophylaxis three months prior.  Note the severe changes that have been present for some time.  Failure to properly treat or refer cases like this one result in unnecessary patient suffering.  The affected teeth were extracted and the adjacent teeth treated with EDTA and bone grafting.    This dog’s pet guardian will brush daily and place a dental sealant weekly along with an antiplaque water additive.  Periodic professional cleaning will be part of the preventive regimen.

This miniature poodle rescue has primary canine teeth root tips present bilaterally.  This was a rescue and likely the teeth were fractured originally.  An increase in the periodontal ligament space surrounding both apices is present.   A mesial vertical releasing incision and distal envelope flap is the approach to removal.  Vestibular bone is gently removed with a bur to reveal the tooth outline (not shown).

This dog belongs to a local law enforcement agency in Atlanta.  The officer astutely noticed the discoloration of the canine tooth.  Any tooth that is discolored intrinsically as this one is should have root canal therapy or be extracted.  The pulp is dead or in the process of dying and will cause problems with bone destruction at the root apex (tip)  Notice the wide periodontal ligament space associated with this tooth radiographically.  The obturation material consisted of a simplifil plug and Guttaflow.

This is the dog with left mandibular fracture previously repaired with titanium mesh.  Three days after the repair the other jaw suffered a pathologic fracture.  It was also severely compromised from chronic periodontal disease.  Repair was accomplished with a combination of wire, orthodontic chain, composite buttons and acrylic.  Wire was passed under the body of the mandible and through the mucosa then tied and wires bent.  Two wires on either side of the fractures on both the right and left mandible.  Composite buttons were made using a silicone mold on the mandibular canines.  Orthodontic massel chain was then attached to all wires and around the canine buttons to form a horseshoe orientation.   Acrylic was added in increments while fracture ends were approximated.  This relatively non-invasive approach avoids complications with plates commonly associated with pathologic mandibular fractures where bone density is severely compromised.  Four days postop the patient is eating well and pain is well controlled.

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
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