Dentistry

Oklahoma City, Okla. -- A bill allowing non-DVMs to float horses? teeth if they meet state certification requirements passed the Oklahoma Senate March 31.

How important is oral hygiene? Just imagine what it would be like if you never brushed your teeth.

"Diamond" is a 12-year-old female spayed Dalmatian that was presented for swelling under the left eye for a two-week duration.

The implementation of veterinary dentistry is increasing in both private and specialty practices. More responsibility is being delegated to the technician, and the expansion of this service relies heavily on a well trained and informed staff. We must remember it is the veterinarian's role to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, but it is the technician's role to carry out these orders with competence.

Cats are different! Being obligate carnivores, they do not have "chewing teeth", but instead have carnassial teeth that aid to cut up their food into manageable pieces.

This presentation will summarize the seven disciplines of dentistry, and familiarize the attendee with exodontics, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, and oral surgery. Several cases will be reviewed, with a breakdown of why a particular treatment was performed, and the outcome.

The term "prophylaxis" originates from the original Greek, and means to guard or prevent. It applies to any medical term or public health procedure whose purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure disease.

Using an ultrasonic scaler during dental procedures can get messy, especially with multiple extractions.

Spontaneous oral hemorrhage without trauma is an uncommon finding.

I am caring for a 4-year-old Westie that has become aggressive. The owner has requested extraction of all four canines or euthanasia. What are your thoughts?

Mandibular fracture is a relatively common injury. Surgical repair of the mandible is complicated by the presence of tooth roots and a mandibular canal with its neurovascular contents.

While it is true that many patients with dental problems are geriatric, anesthesia is generally safe and predictable. Routine precautions should be taken with preoperative assessment, not to determine whether or not to administer anesthesia, but to determine how to do it safely.

Some of the known causes of external root resorption include inflammation related to infection (either marginal from periodontal disease or apical from endodontic disease), pressure secondary to expanding cysts, tumors, or impacted teeth, excessive orthodontic force, after any trauma to the periodontal ligament, and one component of the normal process of primary tooth exfoliation.

A good clinical oral examination is one of the most important tools we have for diagnosing many dental and oral problems. However, much of the pathology in the oral cavity involves the roots and supportive bone of the teeth instead of their visible crowns.

Familiarity with the normal structures and physiology of the oral cavity is a powerful tool to help identify what is not normal. Detailed examination of many normal mouths is the best way to acquire expertise.

Radiographs should be made whenever clinical examination indicates that there might be subgingival pathology that could be identified or better characterized by evaluating the hidden hard tissues.

The many abnormalities, lesions and diseases that are commonly found in the oral cavity become much easier to recognize after one has become familiar with the normal oral anatomy and structures. The most common and most obvious problems, such as periodontal disease and fractured teeth, are easy to identify during routine oral examinations.

Clients frequently express concern about the anesthesia their dogs or cats need for professional oral evaluation and care.

New Banfield study identifies animals most at risk.

Stinky pet breath. Your clients might find it off-putting, but they probably don't know halitosis can be a sign of serious medical problems, such as periodontal disease or oral or systemic infection.

Get your whole veterinary team involved in showing clients that pets are happier and healthier with preventive dental healthcare.

Five cheers to get clients and your team rooting for healthy teeth for every pet.

Start with these and see if your own creative juices start flowing with love for pet oral health.

Everyone plays an important part in making sure pets receive the dental care they need. What?s your role?

This short conversation can help you respond when clients refuse the care you recommend.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- It's February, so it's time to think teeth.

Dr. Colin Harvey speaks about treatment of severe periodontal disease and shared his insights about dealing with the special needs of afflicted animals.

A bite registration can be a valuable part of orthodontic planning for patients with a rostral crossbite.

Oronasal and oroantral fistulas are communications between the oral cavity and the respiratory tract.

Download this PDF of a client handout on halitosis in pets, and help get your clients onboard with preventive oral care.