Endodontic decisions based on radiographic appearance.

Endodontic disease or disease that affects the internal portion of the tooth is a frequently encountered oral problem of the cat and dog. There are many etiologies that can cause the tooth's health and longevity to be adversely affected. Trauma, tooth malformations of either congenital or acquired origin, and bacterial periodontal ascending infections all can lead to pulpal inflammation, necrosis, and tooth death. One must correlate history, physical exam and radiographic impressions of the tooth, and its supporting structures and adjacent teeth in determining proper treatment options and aftercare. Based on extent, timing, and involvement of adjacent structures, resulting pathology of the tooth may be endodontically treated with either a vital pulpectomy, standard root-canal therapy, surgical root-canal therapy, or when the disease is too extensive by extraction. Through a case presentation, we will discuss some of the decisions that enter into the therapy used to treat presenting pathology. It is the authors' intent to present a thought process for deriving a treatment plan to promote healing. There are many ways to achieve this healing, and therefore, there is no right or wrong plan, but rather one that is based on all the presenting factors.

Reconstruction of oral defects using mucogingival pedicle flaps.

There are many oral pathological conditions that greatly impact the health and the longevity of small animals and require surgical closure. Surgical treatment success is dependent on an accurate diagnosis of the problem. The pet's signalment, medical history, clinical signs, and adjunctive diagnostics (radiographs and histology) are all used concurrently to ascertain a working diagnosis. Once determined, the pathology's management and the subsequent reconstruction of normal anatomy become the surgeon's goals. The use of mucogingival flaps in this reconstruction process is integral to the therapy's success. The oral cavity's abundant blood supply and rapid healing allow these flaps to be well tolerated by the animal and quite resistant to breakdown. Flap designs and implementation are important to this healing process. This article discusses 4 diverse oral cases. Their presentations, diagnoses, and surgical corrections are discussed to show how mucogingival flaps may be used in closures of oral surgical defects.