Oral and Dental Examinations Findings in 15 Zoo Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) and Black-Tufted Marmosets (Callithrix penicillata).

As part of an annual wellness evaluation, we performed oral and dental examination under general anesthesia in 7 zoo Bolivian squirrel monkeys aged 10 and 15 years, and 8 zoo black-tufted marmosets aged between 1 and 7 years. No oral discomfort was observed in any animal prior to the procedure. Apart from dilacerated roots of second mandibular incisor teeth in Bolivian squirrel monkeys and one case of presumably odontodysplasia in a black-tufted marmoset, no major variations in number and shape of the present teeth and roots were revealed. All 15 animals had gingivitis, but periodontitis was only diagnosed in 3 black-tufted marmosets. Most commonly diagnosed dental pathology in Bolivian squirrel monkeys was attrition/abrasion, affecting 11.9% of all teeth, followed by caries, which was only diagnosed in older animals. Altogether 8 fractured teeth were diagnosed in Bolivian squirrel monkeys only, with root fracture being the most common type, followed by complicated crown fracture and complicated crown-root fracture. Radiographic signs of endodontic disease were found in 10 teeth in Bolivian squirrel monkeys and in one nonvital tooth with intact crown in a black-tufted marmoset. We associated high occurrence of caries in the older Bolivian squirrel monkeys with their diet and saliva characteristics of these animals. Lack of any periodontitis in Bolivian squirrel monkeys may partially be attributed to limitations of radiography technique, although squirrel monkeys appear to be far less susceptible to naturally occurring periodontitis than marmosets.

Follow Up on Simple (Closed) Extraction of Fractured Maxillary Canine Teeth in Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Fractured canine teeth (especially maxillary canine teeth) are common in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). We evaluated (detailed oral/dental and radiographic examination under general anesthesia) 18 domestic ferrets affected by 23 complicated crown fractures of periodontally healthy permanent maxillary canine teeth over a 2-year period. Average age of the ferrets at the time of diagnosis was 2.6 years. Only three teeth were discolored on clinical examination. Out of 23 teeth, 22 were radiographically evaluated. No radiographic evidence of endodontic disease was observed in 11/22 canine teeth. Inflammatory root resorption was observed in 5/22, periapical lucency in 5/22 teeth, apical widening of periodontal ligament space in 6/22 teeth, and failure of the pulp cavity to narrow in 3/22 teeth. All animals were treated by simple (closed) extraction of the affected teeth. Histological examination of eight teeth was performed. Pulp appeared histologically vital in five (3/5 showed no radiographic evidence of endodontic disease), pulpitis was diagnosed in two (both without radiographic evidence of endodontic disease) and pulp necrosis in one case (dental radiographs revealed apical widening of periodontal ligament space and failure of the pulp cavity to narrow). All extraction sites healed uneventfully by the 2-week recheck examination. Long-term follow-up revealed development of post-extraction upper lip entrapment with mandibular canine tooth in eight out of 18 ferrets, which appeared clinically irrelevant. According to clients seven out of 18 ferrets showed an improved quality of life. Simple tooth extractions are warranted in ferrets affected by complicated crown fracture of the periodontally healthy permanent maxillary canine teeth.