Effectiveness of a Daily Honeycomb-Shaped Dental Chew in Reducing Calculus, Plaque, Gingivitis and Malodor in Dogs.

Periodontal disease in dogs is common. Client compliance with oral hygiene and oral care for pets is low. The gold standard is annual dental prophylaxis under general anesthesia with imaging followed by home care including daily brushing. Clients should be offered methods to reduce calculus, plaque, gingivitis, and resulting halitosis that are time efficient, cost-effective, and easy to administer between annual preventative dental prophylaxis with the goal to move into maintenance phase of managing periodontal disease. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a honeycomb-shaped dental chew in reducing hardened calculus, plaque, gingivitis, and malodor in client-owned dogs in their normal home environment including various breeds, skull types, ages, and weights. Calculus, plaque, and gingival scores with volatile sulfur compounds readings were performed under sedation and evaluated under general anesthesia after 60 consecutive days of receiving a daily honeycomb-shaped dental chew treat. There was an overall statistically significant percentage reduction of calculus (26.6%), plaque (14.2%), and malodor (46.71%). Gingival scores did not demonstrate statistically significant reduction (0.99%). Use of this honeycomb-shaped daily dental chew significantly reduced calculus, plaque, and associated malodor in dogs when fed consecutively for 60 days.

Prevalence of root fusion in canine maxillary second molar teeth using cone-beam computed tomography.

This study evaluated the prevalence of root fusion in the right and left maxillary second molar teeth in dogs using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 180 dog CBCT scans, or a total of 360 maxillary second molar teeth, were analyzed in this study. Dogs were divided into weight categories of small (<10 kg), medium (10-25 kg), and large (>25 kg). Skull type (brachycephalic, mesocephalic, dolichocephalic) and sex were also recorded for each dog. Overall, 65% of maxillary second molar teeth had some type of root fusion. Of the teeth that had fusion, the only configuration represented was fusion of the distobuccal root with the palatal root. The most common root morphology overall (all dogs and both right and left maxillary second molar teeth included) was partial fusion (177/360, 49%). With the high prevalence of fused roots in maxillary second molar teeth in dogs found in this study, CBCT will help clinicians to more accurately assess a dog's anatomy and implications for treatment.

Oronasal and Oroantral Fistulas Secondary to Periodontal Disease: A Retrospective Study Comparing the Prevalence Within Dachshunds and a Control Group.

The prevalence of oronasal and oroantral fistulas (ONF/OAF) was retrospectively identified in a population of dachshund patients (dachshund group) and was compared to a population of small breed dogs of significantly similar age and weight (control group). When compared with the control group, the dachshund group was significantly more likely to have an ONF/OAF (P < .0001). The odds ratio indicates that dachshunds were 3.3 times more likely to have an ONF/OAF than individuals within the control group. This study statistically confirms previous reports and clinical observations that dachshunds are predisposed to ONF/OAFs. When ONF/OAFs are present, the maxillary canines are the most commonly affected dentition in both study groups.

Endodontic therapy of a mandibular canine tooth with irreversible pulpitis secondary to dentigerous cyst.

Dentigerous cysts are uncommon, yet are being reported with increasing frequency in the veterinary literature. Dentigerous cysts are a type of benign odontogenic cyst associated with impacted teeth, most commonly the mandibular first premolar tooth. Significant bone destruction can occur secondary to the expansion of a dentigerous cyst. The expanding cyst can lead to pathology of neighboring teeth, which can include external root resorption or pulpitis. Intraoral dental radiographs are imperative to properly assess the presence and extent of a dentigerous cyst, as well as the status of the neighboring teeth. This case report describes treatment for dentigerous cyst including cyst lining curettage, mandibular bone regeneration, and endodontic therapy for a canine tooth with irreversible pulpitis.

Bilateral dentigerous cysts in a dog.

Dentigerous cysts are infrequently seen in veterinary medicine, but the consequences of an undiagnosed dentigerous cyst can be severe. Dentigerous cysts, that can be sub-classified as eruption or follicular, are a type of benign odontogenic cyst. They can cause significant bony and dental destruction associated with expansion if they remain undiagnosed for a period of time. Dentigerous cysts are secondary to embedded or impacted teeth, however not every impacted tooth subsequently forms a dentigerous cyst. Intraoral dental radiographs are necessary to differentiate a missing tooth from an impacted tooth. This case demonstrates the successful surgical management of a dog with bilateral impacted mandibular canine teeth, with secondary dentigerous cyst formation.

Canine periodontal disease control using a clindamycin hydrochloride gel.

Stabilizing or reducing periodontal pocket depth can have a positive influence on the retention of teeth in dogs. A topical 2% clindamycin hydrochloride gel (CHgel) was evaluated for the treatment of periodontal disease in dogs. The CHgel formulation provides for the sustained erosion of the matrix, but also flows into the periodontal pocket as a viscous liquid, and then rapidly forms a gel that has mucoadhesive properties and also may function as a physical barrier to the introduction of bacteria. A professional teeth cleaning procedure including scaling and root planing was done in dogs with one group receiving CHgel following treatment. Periodontal health was determined before and after the procedure including measurement of periodontal pocket depth, gingival index, gingival bleeding sites, and number of suppurating sites. There was a statistically significant decrease in periodontal pocket depth (19%), gingival index (16%), and the number of bleeding sites (64%) at 90-days in dogs receiving CHgel. Additionally, the number of suppurating sites was lower (93%) at 90-days for the group receiving CHgel. The addition of CHgel effectively controlled the bacterial burden (e.g, Fusobacterium nucleatum) at both day 14 and 90. Gingival cells in culture were shown to rapidly incorporate clindamycin and attain saturation in approximately 20-minutes. In summary, a professional teeth cleaning procedure including root planning and the addition of CHgel improves the gingival index and reduces periodontal pocket depth.