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?         Dental disease is very common in dogs and cats.

?         In the early stages plaque and tartar adheres to the teeth causing inflammation of gums (gingivitis).

?         In later stages it causes recession of gums and resorption of bone around the tooth root (periodontal disease).

?         Dental disease causes PAIN and INFECTION, which spreads to other body systems.

?         Dental disease is responsible for BAD BREATH.

DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS

?         Indicated in pets with mild dental disease.

?         A basic teeth cleaning which includes: full mouth exam under anesthesia, charting the mouth, scaling (removal of the plaque and tartar), curetting under the gum line, and polishing the enamel (to slow the process of new tartar and plaque formation).

?         Cannot visualize and evaluate the roots of the teeth.

COMPLETE ORAL EXAM WITH RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSTICS

?         Indicated in pets with: stage 3 ? 4 periodontal disease, fractured teeth or abnormal crown, absent teeth, suspicion of endodontic disease, soft and hard tissue swelling, determination of possible neoplasia (cancer) and preventive dentistry.

?         Intraoral x-rays assist before and during an extraction.

?         Intraoral xrays of the tooth roots allow visualization and evaluation of the entire tooth, not just the visible crown of the tooth.

?         Often a tooth appears normal when examining the crown, but x-rays of the root reveal fractures, resorptive lesions, abscessation, etc.

DENTAL FRACTURES

            Broken teeth, if left untreated, will cause abscesses, facial swelling, and of course pain.  The fang teeth (or canines) and the most important chewing teeth (the large upper and lower cheek teeth) are the most often affected.  A pet?s teeth have half the enamel thickness of a human?s teeth and are therefore weaker.  Pets can generate tremendous chewing pressures of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch.  Chewing on hard or indestructible objects often causes the tooth to fracture.  If these important chewing teeth are damaged, they should be saved if possible.  Veterinarians skilled in endodontic therapy are doing a great service for their patients.  If the fracture is recent (less than 2 weeks in a pet less than 1-? years old and less than 72 hours in a pet less than 6 years old) ?Pulp-capping? can be usually performed to keep the tooth alive.  In old fractures root canal therapy is more appropriate.  Root canal treatments not only prevent infection from advancing further up the tooth into the jawbone but also allows the tooth to remain functional.

DEAD TEETH

            It is not uncommon for teeth to be dislocated and separated from their blood supply entering at the root tip by ?Tug of War? or Frisbee catching. Teeth if damaged in this manner may develop a pulpits.  They appear initially pink and later as the blood pigment inside the tooth is broken down these teeth turn a characteristic gray color.  All these teeth need to either undergo a root canal or be extracted to prevent future bone loss to the jaw surrounding the roots of these teeth.

LYMPHCYTIC PLASMACYTIC GINGIVITIS in CATS

            This disease can be seen in any breed of a cat although the oriental breeds and cats that have either Feline Leukemia Virus(FELV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV- cat AIDS) are at greater risk.  Although the exact cause is unknown, it is believed that these cats have an exaggerated response to plaque bacteria on teeth.  Total tooth extractions and gingival flapping can be curative at stopping the pain and bone loss; however some patients require periodic use of oral steroids (methylprednisone).

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

            The majority of dogs and cats greater than 2 years of age have periodontal disease.  The presence and severity of periodontal disease has been linked to the development of systemic illness including endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), pneumonia, and nephritis (kidney infection).  Periodontal disease is a very slow, progressive disease that affects all of the supporting structures of the teeth.  As in people, the accumulation of plaque (food debree and bacteria) on the teeth leads to the gingiva becoming swollen and inflamed.  Bad breath and bleeding red gums are the most common signs that are noticed.  Timely veterinary intervention can reverse this damage.  Proper periodontal diagnostics including accurate probing and charting, oral radiography, and a thorough dental cleaning and polishing are required to deal with any problems.

            Unchecked periodontal disease will wreak havoc.  The gums will recede and the supporting ligaments that hold the tooth to the jawbone and the bone itself are damaged.  Deep pockets of infection arise causing pus, bleeding, and pain for the pet.  They are often more reluctant to chew on hard food and quite often an abscess may develop in the gum and jawbone.  The pet begins to lose weight, avoids having it?s face or head touched, and suddenly seems to behave as if ?much older? If nothing is done, the pet will succumb to the final stages of periodontal disease.  Due to the advanced destruction to the jawbone, the teeth will be lost.  In the case of toy dog breeds, often the lower jaw can fracture because the bone around the teeth is severely damaged.  Advanced periodontal disease around the upper fang teeth can lead to a permanent hole between the root cavity and the nose.  This can cause sneezing episodes that lead to nosebleeds.  Finally, when the tooth does fall out, there is a permanent non-healing hole between the mouth and the nose that will need repair. 

            This stage of disease requires a more aggressive approach to therapy and surgery.  Dental radiographs and probing show whether or not gingival or periodontal flaps, root planing, root canals, or tooth extraction will be needed.