Dentistry 2: Canine Oral Conditions

• Canine Oral Conditions covered in Dentistry 2 – Lecture 2

CUPS (Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis)

• Oral lesions are often ulcerative and painful
• Patients develop an "intolerance" to the microbial constituents in the mouth
• Oral pain leads to reluctance to open the mouth, bad breath, hesitation to eat, and drooling because patients are developing painful oral ulcers
• Maltese, King Charles Spaniels, Terriers, German Shepherds, & Greyhounds are commonly affected breeds
• Lesions on the oral mucosa correspond to areas that contact teeth.
• Tongue's lateral surface is often affected
• Swollen lymph nodes, gingivitis, stomatitis & advanced periodontitis can be present
• Diagnosis includes biopsy of the area is often confirmatory
• Treatment includes:
  • COHAT - rads, remove any diseased teeth & perform thorough scaling and polishing
  • ORAVET – waxy barrier, applied weekly to teeth, and acts as a plaque retardant
  • Chlorhexidine rinses daily, impeccable oral care
  • Long-term antibiotic (Clavamox, Clindamycin, Tetracycline) & anti-inflammatory therapy (Prednisone)
  • Lifelong management often leads to full mouth extraction

Caries

• Only 5% of dogs are affected, never in cats
• Low prevalence is due to high pH in saliva, most animals eating commercial diets (low in fermentable carbohydrates), and tooth structure required is not common in dogs
• Finding Caries
  • Tactile examination of high risk teeth makes them feel sticky like glue
  • Soft spots (demineralized enamel) are early lesions, explored with a dental explorer
  • Rough edged hole signals advanced lesions
  • Rads should always be performed on suspicious teeth
  • Usually found on occlusal surfaces of teeth, with brown or black discoloration
  • Can be found in developmental groove on maxillary PM4
  • Developmental groove on lingual aspect of mandibular M1
• Treatements include extraction or endodontic procedure
• Charting needs to point to location of caries, code = CA, usually occlusal surface

Dental Trauma

• Dependent on breed, lifestyle, environment, and habit
• Trauma = loss of tooth substance
• Normal wear from grooming, mastication, play & work (if you wouldn't hit your knee with it don't give it to your dog)
• Abnormal wear means some animals are hard on their teeth
• Initial meeting with owner should include a discussion of chewing habits, use of toys etc
• AB - Abrasion is the wear of tooth surfaces that are not in contact with each other and from an external source
  • History of chewing on inappropriate objects is often key
  • Carefully look for fractures
• AT - Attrition is abnormal or excessive wear of occluding tooth surfaces
  • Usually associated with a malocclusion
  • Usually seen on incisors or canines
• Tactile Examination – may feel pulp canal soft or hard/dead pulp
• Tertiary dentin presents as brown discoloration/smooth feel with explorer
• Veterinarians will make a treatment plan that could include extraction or interceptive endodontics
• Symptoms/outcomes with abrasions include:
  • Chronic inflammation & pressure on periodontal ligament can change its composition and external resorption can begin
  • Chronic pulpitis can cause internal resorption

Tooth Fractures

• Highly prevalent, knowing patient's behavior is key
• In cats, is usually due to a tom cat fighting/falling
• Use classification table found in lab manual
• Classified based on amount of tooth structure exposed (enamel, dentin, root, pulp)
• Uncomplicated or complicated
• Complicated fracture includes pulp exposure
• Slab Fracture – shape of tooth contributes to fracture
• Calculus accumulation on one tooth also a factor and chewing habits
• Charting code = T/FX/_ & draw where fracture is on corresponding view (buccal)
• Treatment factors:
  • Extraction or endodontics
  • Client conversation; endodontics is a referral to a specialist
  • Pulp exposure is painful! – immediate intervention required

Explore canine-specific oral conditions, focusing on Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis (CUPS). Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, including COHAT, ORAVET, and chlorhexidine rinses. Understand breed predispositions and the importance of oral care.