DENTISTRY
or incisor crown height will often resolve gingival
impingement or penetration. This procedure
preserves the vitality of the tooth through vital
pulp or root canal therapy and restoration with
light-cured composite (Figures 11A-11C). You can
place a metallic crown for extra protection.
Understanding and embracing orthodontic correction
will create smiles on your clients’, patients’ and team
members’ faces. Everyone wins.
Figure 9. The left mandibular canine tooth is malpositioned but
functional
Your patient has an abnormal bite. Now what?
The challenge with examining every dog and cat that
comes through your practice for evidence of malocclusion
or malposition is that your exams will uncover many
abnormalities. However, this also means you have many
more opportunities to improve your patients’ health.
Consider these basic orthodontic concepts when tailoring
a treatment plan for each patient with orthodontic
anomalies. Is the abnormality functional?
If a tooth is out of place but isn’t interfering with other
teeth or with eating, and if it isn’t penetrating the gingiva,
a functional bite exists (Figure 9). To repair a functional
bite for cosmetic or show purposes isn’t necessary and is
considered unethical.
Figures 10A and 10B. Right and left mandibular canines
impinging on maxillary gingiva
Options for correction
Here are the techniques and procedures that can improve
quality of life in an animal with malocclusion.
1. Extraction. Extraction of the offending or offended
tooth (or teeth) usually results in immediate relief.
Extraction of the canines can be challenging, so
consider referring if you aren’t comfortable with the
procedure or the possible surgical consequences
2. Tooth movement. Moving malpositioned teeth to
functional positions can be both challenging and
rewarding. Teeth are moved surgically or through
the use of inclined planes, orthodontic brackets and
elastics (Figures 10A-10G). Orthodontic movement
is an advanced dental procedure that should be
performed only by someone with a thorough
understanding of dental anatomy, physiology and
orthodontic principles.
3. Crown reduction and restoration. Decreasing canine
Figures 10C and 10D. Orthodontic brackets and elastics are
used to move a maxillary canine caudally after extraction of
the right and left maxillary first premolars.
Issue 04 | AUGUST 2017 | 13