DENTISTRY
Perform a Great Examination
Clinical Exam
Do not allow “dental drop-offs” for dogs and cats with
halitosis. Each patient needs a clinical examination
with the client present to take a look inside the mouth
and review the oral assessment, treatment and preven-
tion (oral ATP) process. Often without a clinical exam-
ination the client does not understand that “a dental”
is much more that cleaning teeth. If the client can not
arrange to be at the appointment the same day as the
procedure, arrange an in-person exam the week be-
fore.
Anesthetised examination
What is observed clinically, during probing, and with
the help of intraoral radiography during the dental
examination in an anesthetized patient is the foun-
dation of dental diagnostics. Dogs normally have 42
“tooth patients” in their mouths, while cats have 30.
Some of the “patients” will be in good shape and
not need additional care, while others will be quite
ill. When clients present their companion animals
for dental care complaining of halitosis or gingival
inflammation, additional care in addition to dental
scaling and polishing is needed.
Dental probing around each tooth and between
tooth roots is most important. When deep pockets
are present (Figures 3A-3C), locally applied antimi-
crobials, gingival surgery or extraction is needed.
If bleeding occurs during probing, application of
a local antimicrobial coupled with stringent home
care will usually resolve the bleeding and prevent
progression of periodontal disease (Figures 4A-4D).
Figure 3A A periodontal probe confirming a deep pocket be-
tween the maxillary fourth premolar and first molar.
Fractured teeth are commonly observed during the
anesthetized examination. Pulp exposure can either
be confirmed visually or with the aid of a dental ex-
plorer (Figure 5). If there is pulp exposure, root canal
therapy or extraction is indicated.
Figure 3B An 8-mm pocket discovered on the palatal aspect
of a rotated maxillary third premolar; extraction is indicated.
Figure 4A. Bleeding on probing.
Figure 3C A 3-mm probing depth between the roots of left
maxillary first molar.
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Issue 06 | DECEMBER
2017
26
Issue
04 | | AUGUST
2017 26
Figure 4B. Drying the sulcus with compressed air.