Comparing the degree of exothermic polymerization in commonly used acrylic and provisional composite resins for intraoral appliances.

The use of dental acrylics and composite resins in veterinary dentistry has become widespread. However their use is not without potential complications. All acrylics and composite resins produce an exothermic reaction during the polymerization process. The aim of the current study was to evaluate thermal conduction during the polymerization reaction of each material to offer clinical guidelines when choosing a material with particular consideration for the significant volumes typically used. Results showed that methylmethacrylate based resins generated a significantly higher degree of heat during polymerization. Bis-acryl based composite resins generated a significantly lower degree of heat during polymerization, making them the material of choice to potentially minimize thermal injury to the dentin-pulp complex. It is the responsibility of the clinician to become aware of all materials available, and to have an understanding of their properties to guide them in making sound clinical judgments.

Maxillofacial fracture repairs.

Oral trauma remains a common presentation in a small animal practice. Most fractures are the result of vehicular accidents. Among other causes are falls, kicks, gunshots wounds, and encounters with various hard objects ranging from baseball bats and golf clubs to horse hooves and car doors. Next in popularity are dog fights, especially when a large dog and a small dog are involved, and fights with other animals. With cats, falls from various heights are responsible for a large percentage of presentations.

Intraoral acrylic splints for maxillofacial fracture repair.

Maxillofacial fractures in dogs and cats occur secondary to vehicular trauma, falls, kicks, gunshots, and fights with other animals. Pathologic mandibular fracture may occur secondary to periodontal disease, neoplasia, and metabolic diseases. The primary objective for repair of maxillofacial fractures in small animals is return to normal function. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain occlusal alignment while providing adequate stability for bony union. Basic principles of maxillofacial fracture repair include anatomic reduction and restoration of occlusion, application of a stable fixation to neutralize negative forces on the fracture, gentle handling of soft tissues, avoidance of iatrogenic dental trauma, extraction of diseased teeth within the fracture line, and minimizing excessive soft tissue elevation. This review article will describe the application of intraoral acrylic splints for maxillofacial fracture repair.

Tooth splinting for severely mobile mandibular incisor teeth in a dog.

Periodontal disease, in its advanced stages, causes tooth mobility. The tooth movement further damages the periodontium, accelerating the disease process leading to tooth loss. Dental splinting can provide coaptive stability to the teeth as an important component of a periodontal treatment plan. This report documents results four years following splinting of the mandibular incisor teeth in a 3 year old Miniature Schnauzer dog.

[Therapy of narrow canine teeth using a methacrylate orthodontic splint]. / Therapie von Zahnfehlstellungen des Hundes mittels aus Methacrylat hergestellter Aufbissschienen.

32 cases of narrow canine teeth were treated with an orthodontic splint similar to the Becker-splint (1965). The splints are either fixed only to one or two teeth using adhesive bone of to both canine teeth and incisors. They can be made simply within short time and may treat different orthodontic problems.