Periodontal disease as a potential factor for systemic inflammatory response in the dog.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that has numerous consequences both locally and systemically The aim of this study was to assess whether periodontal disease causes systemic inflammatory response in otherwise healthy, adult dogs. We estimated the total mouth periodontal score (TMPS), measured the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), hematocrit, and albumin, and determined the white blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts in client-owned dogs. There was a statistically significant relationship between the gingival bleeding index (TMPS-G) and CRP concentration, and WBC and PMN counts, possibly during the active periods of periodontal tissue destruction. No correlation was found between the periodontal destruction index (TMPS-P) and the measured blood parameters. We conclude that chronic periodontal disease does not cause anemia or a reduction in serum albumin. However, active periods of periodontal inflammation may be associated with laboratory values suggestive of a systemic inflammatory response.

Isolation and identification of Porphyromonas spp. and other putative pathogens from cats with periodontal disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subgingival microbiota and determine the most prevalent periodontal pathogens implicated in feline periodontal disease and to correlate these findings with the clinical periodontal status. Subgingival microbiological samples were taken under sedation from 50 cats with clinical signs of periodontal disease. Pooled paper point samples from 4 selected subgingival sites were cultured on blood agar and on Dentaid-1 medium. Suspected pathogens were identified, subcultured, and preserved. The association between the microbiological findings and the clinical status was studied using correlation coefficients (CC). In addition, cats were stratified in subgroups according to presence of putative pathogens, and comparisons were carried out using unpaired t-test. Three bacterial species were frequently detected including Porphyromonas gulae (86%), Porphyromonas circumdentaria (70%) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (90%). The mean proportion of total flora was high for P. gulae (32.54%), moderate for P. circundentaria (8.82%), and low for F. nucleatum (3.96%). Among the clinical variables, tooth mobility was correlated (CC > 0.50, p < 0.001) with recession, pocket depth, attachment level, gingival index, and calculus index (CC = 0.29, p = 0.04) as well as with total bacterial counts (CC = 0.38, p = 0.006). Cats with more than 10% of P. gulae showed significantly more mobility (p = 0.014) and recession (p = 0.038), and a tendency for deeper probing pocket depths (p = 0.084) and attachment loss (p = 0.087). The results from this cross-sectional study confirmed that P. gulae is the most relevant pathogen in periodontal disease in cats.

Validation of use of subsets of teeth when applying the total mouth periodontal score (TMPS) system in dogs.

A total mouth periodontal score (TMPS) system in dogs has been described previously. Use of buccal and palatal/lingual surfaces of all teeth requires observation and recording of 120 gingivitis scores and 120 periodontitis scores. Although the result is a reliable, repeatable assessment of the extent of periodontal disease in the mouth, observing and recording 240 data points is time-consuming. Using data from a previously reported study of periodontal disease in dogs, correlation analysis was used to determine whether use of any of seven different subsets of teeth can generate TMPS subset gingivitis and periodontitis scores that are highly correlated with TMPS all-site, all-teeth scores. Overall, gingivitis scores were less highly correlated than periodontitis scores. The minimal tooth set with a significant intra-class correlation (> or = 0.9 of means of right and left sides) for both gingivitis scores and attachment loss measurements consisted of the buccal surface of the maxillary third incisor canine, third premolar fourth premolar; and first molar teeth; and, the mandibular canine, third premolar, fourth premolar and first molar teeth on one side (9 teeth, 15 root sites). Use of this subset of teeth, which reduces the number of data points per dog from 240 to 30 for gingivitis and periodontitis at each scoring episode, is recommended when calculating the gingivitis and periodontitis scores using the TMPS system.

The development of an oral health charting system for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

The koala is one of Australia's most highly specialized folivores with a diet exclusively of eucalyptus leaves to provide all nutritive needs and therefore requires to be free of oral disease as they are dependent on good dentition for optimal health and quality of life. We developed an oral examination methodology based on protocols for companion animals and human dentistry to chart the oral health of koalas. Thirty free-ranging koalas from South-East Queensland, Australia were examined for general body and oral health. Inspection of the oral cavity was conducted for the presence or absence of the indicators oforal disease such as caries or periodontal disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on the examination data and a prototype oral health chart developed. The prototype was then trialled and the methodology validated by the Kappa statistic using ten additional koalas examined by four multidisciplinary personnel involved in koala care. Trauma associated fractures, tooth displacement, abnormal occlusion and tooth wear compacted vegetation, extrinsic stain deposits, periodontal bone loss, gingivitis, tooth mobility, and calculus were present in the oral cavities of the examined koalas. A system of scoring between 0 and 3 was constructed in accordance with current koala general health charting formats. Validation of the charting method using Kappa coefficients of agreement statistics indicated that there was a good agreement among observers on recorded results except for inflammation and calculus scoring. Modifications were made and visual aids and index scales produced to further assist observers. Oral health surveillance has been proven in other species to be significant in diagnosing physiological disturbances derived from environmental genetic, and developmental causes. Veterinarians, dental researchers, and koala husbandry personnel will benefit in using this charting method and reporting the oral health of koala populations in their future findings. This unique form of oral health monitoring would be adaptable to other mammals.

Periodontal disease in research beagle dogs--an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and describe the extent and severity of periodontal disease and associated periodontal parameters in beagle dogs. METHODS: A full-mouth, site-specific examination was performed in 98 beagle dogs. Focus was placed on clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and bleeding on probing. RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm was 20 per cent in the one-year-old dogs, increasing to 84 per cent of the dogs aged more than three years. The number of sites affected with clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm showed a skewed distribution. The prevalence of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 4 mm was only seven per cent. A probing pocket depth of 4+ mm was observed in 44 to 81 per cent of the dogs, depending on age. Also, the distribution of the number of deepened pockets/dog was skewed. The teeth most prone to clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm were the P2, the P3 and the P4 of the maxilla. The teeth most prone to pocket depth greater than equal to 4 mm were the maxillary canines. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Periodontal disease in terms of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm and pocket depth greater than equal to 4 mm is common in beagle dogs, but the major disease burden is carried by only a few dogs. The prevalence increases with increased age but is high already at the age of two years.

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.

Periodontal and dental lesions in raccoons from a farming and a recreational area in Illinois.

Dental health was evaluated in two populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in western Illinois (USA); one was from a rural agricultural area with low human density and the other from a nearby state park heavily used by humans and raccoons. From 1989 through 1993, 300 raccoons were live-trapped in the agricultural area and 246 raccoons were live-trapped in the park. Oral health was assessed using gingival and calculi indices and by measuring loss of attachment and tooth wear. Raccoons from the park were significantly older and smaller, but not thinner, than raccoons from the farmed area. Gingival and periodontal indices, tooth wear, tooth loss, and caries increased significantly from juveniles to yearlings to adults, at both sites. Males had higher levels of gingivitis and loss of periodontal attachment than females, but were similar on other dental measures. There were no seasonal differences between raccoons in dental indices. Animals with high scores for one oral measure tended to have high values for all indices. Dental health was generally good for juveniles and yearlings from both sites. Among adults, periodontal indices and the prevalence of caries were significantly higher in the park, but prevalence of broken or missing teeth was similar for both populations. There was no association between body condition, and a higher dental score or more missing or broken teeth.

Association of age and body weight with periodontal disease in North American dogs.

Thirteen hundred and fifty dogs were examined under anesthesia at veterinary hospitals in the USA and Canada. Periodontal health was recorded in detail. Teeth were frequently absent (particularly lower third molar, upper and lower first premolars, and incisor teeth). Calculus was most extensive on the upper fourth premolar and molar teeth. Missing teeth, mobility of remaining teeth, extent of calculus and gingival inflammation, and furcation exposure and attachment loss all were more common in small dogs compared with larger dogs, and in order dogs compared with younger dogs.