Vet360, December 2016 | Page 8

DENTISTRY

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Caries Caries are areas of enamel loss that sometimes progress to include dentin and create pulp exposure . Caries are caused by demineralisation from acids released during bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates . Caries are rare in dogs and cats . In dogs , they usually affect the pits in the occlusal areas of the maxillary first molars in larger-breed dogs , especially Labrador Retrievers ( Figures 5A-5C ).
Figure 4G . A malpositioned left mandibular canine creating enamel loss of the maxillary canine and attached gingival loss .
Figure 5A . A shepherd ' s hook explorer placed in caries .
Figure 4H . Enamel and gingival loss caused by the malpositioned left mandibular canine in Figure 4G .
Figures 5B and 5C . The caries removed with a round bur and the defect filled with light-cured composite before preparation for metallic crown restoration .

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Enamel hypoplasia This condition occurs from an inadequate deposition of enamel matrix before the tooth emerges from the gingiva due to poor nutrition or a high temperature when the dog is between 9 and 12 weeks old . Enamel hypoplasia can affect one or several teeth and may be focal or multifocal . The crowns of affected teeth will have areas of normal enamel next to areas of hypoplastic or missing enamel . Enamel hypoplasia does not affect deciduous teeth ( Figures 6A and 6B ).
Figure 4I . The left mandibular canine crown reduced and restored to alleviate the trauma pictured in Figure 4H . A gingivectomy was performed to treat the mucogingival defect .
In areas where enamel is not present , exposure of the underlying dentin can be painful from increased
Issue 06 | DECEMBER 2016 | 8