World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines.

Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases are some of the most common problems in small animal veterinary practice. These conditions create significant pain as well as localized and potentially systemic infection. As such, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) believes that un- and under treated oral and dental diseases pose a significant animal welfare concern. Dentistry is an area of veterinary medicine which is still widely ignored and is subject to many myths and misconceptions. Effective teaching of veterinary dentistry in the veterinary school is the key to progression in this field of veterinary medicine, and to the improvement of welfare for all our patients globally. These guidelines were developed to provide veterinarians with the information required to understand best practices for dental therapy and create realistic minimum standards of care. Using the three-tiered continuing education system of WSAVA, the guidelines make global equipment and therapeutic recommendations and highlight the anaesthetic and welfare requirements for small animal patients. This document contains information on common oral and dental pathologies, diagnostic procedures (an easily implementable and repeatable scoring system for dental health, dental radiography and radiology) and treatments (periodontal therapy, extractions). Further, there are sections on anaesthesia and pain management for dental procedures, home dental care, nutritional information, and recommendations on the role of the universities in improving veterinary dentistry. A discussion of the deleterious effects of anaesthesia free dentistry (AFD) is included, as this procedure is ineffective at best and damaging at worst. Throughout the document the negative effects of undiagnosed and/or treated dental disease on the health and well-being of our patients, and how this equates to an animal welfare issue, is discussed.

Establishing a standardized dental record-keeping system for a small investigational colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

BACKGROUND: Dental hygiene is becoming an increasingly important component of quality health care for laboratory animals, especially non-human primates (NHPs). One key to a successful health care program is an effective and efficient record-keeping system. METHODS: To standardize a dental hygiene program for a small colony of NHPs, we developed a dental recording chart specific for rhesus monkeys. This dental chart was developed using the modified Triadan system. This system numbers teeth across species according to location. RESULTS: An illustrative case report was presented to demonstrate the accurate record keeping and spatial relationship generated from this Old World NHP dental chart design. CONCLUSION: The development and implementation of a standardized dental chart, as part of a dental hygiene program will help minimize variables that may affect research data.

Assessment of vital pulp therapy for nine complicated crown fractures and fifty-four crown reductions in dogs and cats.

Subjective owner assessment of the success of vital pulp therapy was performed for complicated crown fracture (n = 9) and crown reduction (n = 54) of canine teeth in dogs and cats. Our results documented that owners are not able to accurately determine the outcome of vital pulp therapy. Objective assessment of vital pulp therapy for teeth receiving crown reduction indicated maintenance of vitality in 28 of 28 (100%) teeth. Subjective and objective assessments of vital pulp therapy performed > 7-days following complicated crown fracture indicated 9 of 9 (100%) teeth were non-vital. A poor prognosis for maintenance of tooth vitality is warranted for vital pulp therapy of complicated crown fractures with prolonged pulp exposure regardless of the age of the patient. Whereas, an excellent prognosis can be provided for vital pulp therapy following crown reduction. Semiannual, postoperative oral and radiographic examinations are recommended for a minimum of 2-years to assess vitality in all teeth receiving vital pulp therapy.

Treatment of mandibular first molar teeth with endodontic-periodontal lesions in a dog.

A two-year-old spayed/female Miniature Pinscher was treated for mobility of the left and right mandibular first molar teeth. Periodontal probing and intraoral dental radiographs indicated severe periodontal attachment loss. It was determined that both teeth had endodontic-periodontal lesions based on restoration of periodontal attachment and partial resolution of radiolucent periapical lesions following treatment which emphasized endodontic therapy.

Management of a complicated maxillary fourth premolar crown-root fracture in a dog.

A five-year-old spayed/female Border Collie was presented with a crown-root fracture of the maxillary left fourth premolar. Surgical endodontic, and restorative techniques were performed to maintain the tooth. Re-examination 18-months following therapy indicated a successful outcome with no radiographic signs of periapical pathology.