Veterinary Dentistry
Chapter 34, pg. 1297-1354
Objectives
 Recognize a patient’s dental health status
 Perform techniques, as prescribed by a veterinarian,
to promote and maintain dental health
*Perform routine dental prophylaxis
*Understand client education regarding home care
Dental Tasks for Veterinary Technicians
 Oral examination and charting
 Professional dental cleaning “Dental prophylaxis”
 Taking and developing dental radiographs
 Taking impressions and making models
 Performing nonsurgical, subgingival root planning
 Assisting with exodontics and endodontics
 Client education
*Procedures performed by veterinary technicians must
not result in alterations in the shape, structure, or
positional location of teeth in the dental arch.
Normal Dentition
&
Dental Anatomy
Tooth Classification
 Brachyodont teeth: small crown with long, well-
developed roots; teeth do not continue to grow or
erupt throughout animal’s life.

Ex: humans, carnivores, pigs
 Diphyodonts have two sets of teeth: deciduous,
then permanent.
 Hypsodont teeth: long crown height and continue
to erupt for most the animal’s lifetime.

Ex: horses, rodents, and lagomorphs
Oral Anatomy
 Upper teeth are embedded in the maxilla.
 Lower teeth are embedded in the mandible.
 Rostral, upper and lower teeth are called incisors
and are housed in the premaxilla, which is called
incisive bone.
 2nd most rostral teeth are the canine teeth,
followed by the premolars and then lastly are
molars (cheek teeth).
 Palatine bone comprises most of the hard palate.

Is this on the maxilla or mandible?
Dental Morphology
 Incisors: in front of the mouth and
are used for gnawing and grooming.
 Canine Teeth: long and used for
grasping and tearing
• Premolars and Molars:
are used for shearing and
grinding.
Maxillary Arcade
R
Mandibular Arcade
R
Dentition
 Mammals show great variety in dentition (numbers
and types of teeth).
 Dental formulas are used to classify the normal
dentitions of different animal species.
Normal Dentition of Dogs and Cats
 Puppies have 28 deciduous (primary / milk) teeth.
 Eruption occurs between 3 to 6 weeks of age
 Canines and incisors first
 Premolars take 6 weeks; no molars
 Dogs have 42 permanent teeth.
 Eruption occurs between 3 to 5 months
 Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth.
 Eruption occurs at about 3 to 6 weeks
 Cats have 30 permanent teeth.
 Eruption occurs about 3 to 6 months.
Normal Dentition of the Dog and Cat
42
30
upper
ICPM
lower
ICPM
Tooth Morphology (Outer)
 Crown = part of the tooth that is visible
in the mouth above the gum line.
 Shiny enamel covers the crown of the tooth.



Hardest substance in the body.
Prevents tooth from being invaded by bacteria and
acids.
If destroyed, will not re-grow.
 The root is the tooth structure below
the gum line and is covered by cementum.
 The tip of the root is the apex of the tooth.
Tooth Morphology (Inner)
 Dentin is the substance that composes the bulk of the
tooth.


Harder than bone but not as hard as enamel.
Lies under the enamel and cementum.
 Pulp cavity is located within the central core of the tooth
and contains pulp.

Pulp is composed of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue



Pulp produces dentin
Pulp chamber is the portion of the pulp cavity located in the crown.
Root canal is the portion located beneath the gum line.
Covers the crown
Very hard bone that makes
up the majority of tooth.
Above the
gum line.
Chamber
Root canal
Within the dentin, made up
of nerves, blood vessels,
and connective tissue
Gingiva
Covers the root
Below the
gum line.
Shock absorbing
lining; attaches
tooth to the
bony socket.
Bony socket
Tooth Anatomy
Triadan System
 Refers to teeth using a numeric system
 100 series: Right maxillary quadrant
 200 series: Left maxillary quadrant
 300 series: Left mandibular quadrant
 400 series: Right mandibular quadrant
 Each tooth has its own predictable number
 Start with the most rostral tooth and move caudal
 If tooth is not present, skip that number
Triadan System- Canine
M
P
Triadan System-Feline
Tip: Canines always end in 4; the first molar always ends in 9
History and Extraoral Examination
 Dental procedures require general anesthesia
 Obtain a proper history
 Ask about general medical info, medications, nutrition/treats,
toys
 Extraoral exam
 Palpate muscles of the face
 Retropulse the eyelids



Look for symmetric depth and firmness
Look for ocular and nasal discharge
Palpate submandibular lymph nodes
Intraoral Examination
 The entire mouth should be evaluated:
1. Soft tissue

Mucosa- should be pink or pigmented; no lesions seen


Hard palate- covered in rugae



Two salivary ducts bumps dorsal to max. 4th PM/1st M
Incisive papilla- midline, caudal to incisors
Pharynx- evaluate for inflammation/neoplasia
Tongue- chewing lesions present?
2. Teeth

Missing, fx, mobility, etc
3. Periodontium
Inflammation, pockets, bone loss, etc
*Radiographs often necessary

Normal vs. Abnormal
The Periodontum
 The periodontium is the area where the tooth
meets the gum.
To attach the tooth to the jaw and provide support, resistant to
normal, functional forces.
It includes:

Gingiva
 Periodontal ligament
 Cementum
 Alveolar bone

The Periodontum
 Gingiva = gum tissue surrounding teeth
 Gingival sulcus is the shallow groove between the
tooth and the gingiva.


Normal depth is 0-3 mm in canines; up to 1 mm in felines
Called a periodontal pocket when abnormal.
The Peridontium
 Cementum is a bone-like
tissue that covers the root
surface. It is stronger than
bone but not as strong as
enamel.

It is capable of repairing
itself.
 Alveolar bone forms the
tooth socket.


Blood vessels and nerves run
through the alveolar bone
Periodontal ligament attaches
cementum to the alveolar bone.
Dental Directional Terminology
 Rostral refers to a structure that is closer to the front of
the head in comparison with another structure.
 Caudal describes a structure toward the back of the
head when compared to another structure.
 Vestibular describes the tooth surface facing the lips.

Buccal if mandibular; labial if maxillary
 Facial describes vestibular surface of teeth visible from
the front (only used for incisors).
 Lingual refers to the surface of the mandibular teeth
adjacent to the tongue.
 Palatal refers to the surface of maxillary teeth adjacent
to the palate.
Dental Terminology
 Mesial refers to the portion of the tooth in line with the





dental arcade that is closest to the most rostral portion of
the midline of the dental arch.
Distal refers to the portion of the tooth that is closest to
the most caudal portion of the midline of the dental arch.
Apical refers to a portion of the tooth closer to the apex,
or tip of the root.
Coronal refers to a structure within a location closer to
the crown of the tooth in relation to another structure.
Occlusal refers to the part of a tooth that meets with, or
occludes with, the teeth of the opposite dental arcade.
Interdental space refers to the space between each
individual tooth.
3.
1.
4.
5.
6.
2.
7.
8.
9.
Occlusion
 Orthodontics studies the way in which the teeth meet
each other (occlude).
 Occlusion is defined as the normal position of the teeth
when the jaws are closed.

In normal occlusion, teeth come together in a scissors bite.
 The
mandibular canine tooth resides in the
interdental space of the upper third incisor and the
upper canine tooth.
 The upper fourth premolar tooth overlaps the
lower first molar, which together, constitute the
carnassial teeth.
 Mandibular incisors:
Normal Scissors Occlusion:
Lateral view of a dog skull. Premolars interdigitate toward the
opposing interdental space.
Malocclusion
 Malocclusion is an abnormality in the position of
the teeth.

It can occur in any of the three head shapes, but is more
common in brachycephalic breeds.
 It is more common in dogs but also occurs in cats.
 There are four classes of malocclusions.
(Class I, II, III, and IV)


Class I- easily fixed with orthodontic correction OR not needed
Class II-IV are skeletal malocclusions due to differing jaw length
Class I: Rostral Cross-bite
 Maxillary incisors are caudal to the mandibular
incisors.
 Very common malocclusion in veterinary dentistry.
 Thought to occur secondary to retained deciduous
incisors.
 Treatment consists of orthodontic movement or
extraction of the abnormal teeth.

Treat vs. not treat?
Rostral Cross-bite
Class I: Caudal Cross-bite
 Maxillary premolars/molars are positioned lingual to
the mandibular opposing premolars/molars
 Occurs occasionally in dolichocephalic breeds.
 More frequent professional prophylaxis will be
needed for these pets.
Caudal Cross-bite
 The maxillary fourth
premolar is positioned
abnormally inside of the
lower first molar tooth.
 This condition did not
require treatment as the
pet had a comfortable and
functional
occlusion (bite).
Class II: Mandibular Distoclusion
 Mandibular brachygnathism:
abnormally short mandible, normal maxilla
 Referred to as “overshot”
 Lack of self-cleaning ability and can create painful
palate abrasions.
 Not an accepted standard in any breed.
Note: this may also be due to
maxillary prognathism
(not common)
Class III: Mandibular Mesiocclussion
 Mandibular prognathism: abnormally long
mandible, normal length maxilla
 Referred to as “undershot”
 These dogs will lose some of their self-cleaning ability
and trap plaque and debris more easily.
 Maxillary incisors can traumatize the mandible.
 Accepted as normal in brachycephalic breeds such as
Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Pugs, and Persian
cats.
Note: Could also be maxillary brachygnathism (not common)
Persistent Deciduous Teeth
 Interfere with normal eruption pathway of permanent




teeth  malocclusion
Are a reservoir for debris  dental disease
Early detection is key!
Common in small breed dogs
Extraction is almost always necessary

Referred to as Interceptive Orthodontics
*Note: deciduous teeth are numbered differently in the
Triadan system (500, 600, 700, 800)
Persistent Deciduous Teeth
 Most permanent teeth will erupt lingual
or palatal to the deciduous teeth.
(babies in front)
 Exception: Permanent maxillary canine teeth will
erupt rostral/mesial to the deciduous canine teeth.
*Why is this significant?
Persistent Deciduous Canine Teeth
Abnormal attrition
Polydontia
 Supernumerary teeth should not be confused with
retained deciduous teeth.
 Radiographs aid in differentiation.

How?
 Occurs in about 10% of dogs and rarely in cats.
 Unless extra tooth causes crowding, no treatment is
necessary.

Occasionally the extra teeth will erupt in an abnormal angle or
be impacted.
 If crowding  increased chance of periodontal
disease. (Extraction necessary)
Hypodontia
 One or more teeth (usually incisors or premolars) do
not form in the dental arcade.
 Many breeds are affected.
 Unerrupted or hypodontia?

How do you confirm?
 If permanent tooth is absent, a baby tooth will often
remain in the arch for months to years.
 No treatment; usually does not cause any problems.