Veterinary Dentistry Today » radiography

Periodontal and Endodontic Disease in a Mandibular Molar in a Dog

Brett — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:52:56 +0000

Periodontal and endodontic disease in a mandibular molar in a dog is shown here. This young dog underwent a thorough prophylaxis. The technician at the hospital does the majority of the prophy’s. They have no dental radiography. We visited and took full mouth radiographs. Once completed we asked the technician to comment on the oral health. No signficiant changes were noted, however look at the radiograph. Severe periodontal bone loss is present with profound periapical lucencies indicative of endodontic disease.

This tooth looks fairly normal. Some erythema is present. Blood on the distal crown is from probing in the distal periodontal pocket.

Severe periodontal and endodontic disease is present on the radiograph. Extraction is the treatment of choice.

Severe Class III Malocclusion in a Dog – Underbite

Brett — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:45:47 +0000

This Scottish Terrier dog had a severe Class III malocclusion resulting in canine trauma from the maxillary intermediate incisors and lingual floor trauma from the maxillary central incisors. Extraction of the offending was resolved the traumatic occlusion.

Trauma is evident at the gingival margin from the intermediate incisors.

Extracting the intermediate incisors will allow the central incisors to dig deeper into the lingual floor making these two defects significantly worse. Extraction eliminates this concern.

Anesthesia Free Dentistry for Pets Especially Dogs and Cats…Malpractice?

Brett — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 01:37:42 +0000

Anesthesia free dentistry (anesthesia-free) in pets particularly in dogs and cats is unfortunately becoming more common. This is a very timely and important post meant to benefit pet parents, veterinarians and most of all our pets.

This case is unfortunately a very common problem these days. In order to avoid general anesthesia, as was the case in this 10 year old dog, the choice was made to to provide regular cleaning without anesthesia. Although this patient received excellent home care including brushing daily profound disease below the gum line was the disastrous result. Is anesthesia free dentistry for our pets the right choice? Please view the pictures of this patient below. Commentary to follow.

The right maxillary premolars and molars only have minor tartar and relatively no gingivitis

Radiograph of the teeth in the picture above. The arrows point to dark areas that represent the profound destruction of bone due to periodontal disease.

The right mandible of the patient above shows little tartar or gingivitis

The arrows point to black voids in the bone destroyed by periodontal disease.

The case above is the rule, not the exception. Disease below the gum line results from plaque accumulation and years of improper “oral hygeine” in the form of anesthesia free dental cleaning.

This bizarre practice originated in grooming facilities as a service to supplement income despite its negative impact on the patient. As sad as it seems some veterinary practices have adopted this practice for similar reasons.

Unfortunately it is very harmful for the enamel by creating more of a rough surface for plaque and tartar to accumulate more quickly and in greater volume. More importantly it does the patient a great injustice by neglecting the only place where periodontal disease is most profound: below the gum line.

Lawsuits against those performing this service are on the rise. Anesthesia free dentistry is cosmetic only, hiding the true disease that exists below the gum line. Seek professional dental care from caring veterinarians who have been properly trained to perform safe dental cleaning, proper oral evaluation, dental probing and x-rays under anesthesia.

The American Veterinary Dental College Position Statement on Companion Animal Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia

Veterinary News Network on Anesthesia Free Dentistry for Pets

Jaw Fracture Repair in a Dog Utilizing Titanium Mesh

Brett — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:28:01 +0000

This dog had a right mandibular fracture secondary to chronic periodontal disease. The jaw fractured spontaneously. It was repaired utilizing a titanium mesh material and an osteoconductive bone putty. http://www.securos.com/downloads/SI%20VelosityPuttyBrochure5.pdf

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
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The fracture line can be seen overshadowed by the first molar mesial root. The site of the mesial root of the 4th premolar was near fracture. The veterinarian did a great job avoiding fracture when extracting these teeth.

Post extraction the fracture line becomes visible. This was a chronic fracture that had the body had attempted to heal. Fibrous tissue was present around the site and provided minor stability.

View of the right mandible after fitting the titanium mesh. The ventral mandible had considerable fibrous tissue present. Disrupting this would have created more instability. The plate was placed over the fibrous tissue. This gives the appearance on the final radiography that the plate doesn't conform well to the mandible. On the contrary this material is very compliant and fits tightly to the bone with minimal anchorage.

The vestibular aspect of the right mandible, screw placement

You can appreciate the delicate structure in relation to my fingers. The plate placed was about 5 times the size of this peice that was clipped off of the portion utilized in this case.

The final repair preclosure

Postop radiograph showing screw placement. Accomodation of the mesh was excellent. Consequently a lingual screw was not needed

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Dog with Persistent Suborbital Abscess

Brett — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:05:26 +0000

This is Lexie. She was treated with antibiotics only to have the abscess recur over the weeks prior to presentation. The tooth and gum tissue looks fairly normal. The x-ray shows a decrease in the periapical bone density on the fourth premolar. The right first molar has an obvious periapical lucency on the palatal root. Those two teeth and the second molar were extracted. Lexie came back Jan13th for her recheck. The suborbital lesion has healed.

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
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This tooth doesn't appear too diseased.

Radiography confirms severe periodontal disease.

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