Analysis and Assessment of Pulp Vitality of 102 Intrinsically Stained Teeth in Dogs.

Our prospective study analyzed clinical, radiographic, and histological characteristics of 102 intrinsically stained teeth. Sixty-nine dogs ranging from one to fifteen years of age were included in this study. Little more than half of the intrinsically stained teeth had no evidence of coronal injury (53.9%, 55/102). We found that most intrinsically stained teeth were histologically nonvital (87.6%, 85/97) and approximately 2/3 of these (57.7%, 56/97) had no histological endodontic or periodontal inflammation at the time of evaluation. Radiographic evidence of endodontic disease was present in 57% (58/102) of the intrinsically stained teeth. Radiographic evidence of periodontal disease was present in 48% (49/102) of intrinsically stained teeth and 28% (29/102) had radiographic evidence of tooth resorption. 18.6% (19/102) of intrinsically stained teeth were radiographically normal. Evidence of pulp necrosis was common in these intrinsically stained teeth, while only occasional teeth (12.4%, 12/97) had histologically confirmed pulpitis. All teeth with radiographic evidence of periapical lucency had pulp necrosis. Based on our histological findings, the majority of intrinsically stained teeth 87.6% are truly nonvital.

Dental disorders in brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) maintained in captivity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate dental disorders of brown howler monkeys maintained in captivity. The hypothesis is that the identification and diagnosis of the lesions may contribute to control and prevention. METHODS: Sixteen intact brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans), eight females and eight males, weighing from 3.9 to 6.8 kg, were studied. Under general anesthesia, the teeth were evaluated by visual inspection, probing, palpation, and intra-oral radiographic exam. The findings were registered on a dental chart specific for primates. RESULT: Of the 16 monkeys evaluated in the present study, 94% (n = 15) had some type of dental disorder. The lesions observed were dental calculus (88%), dental wear (81%), missing teeth (38%), gingivitis (19%), gingival recession (6%), dental fracture (19%), pulp exposure (19%), and dental staining (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Alouatta guariba clamitans maintained in captivity have a high rate of dental problems.

Diagnosis of feline acute intermittent porphyria presenting with erythrodontia requires molecular analyses.

Erythrodontia is the hallmark of human congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), but is also a major phenotypic feature of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in cats. In this study, detailed biochemical and molecular analyses were performed on two unrelated cats with autosomal dominant AIP that presented with erythrodontia, yellow-brown urine and mild changes in erythrocytes. The cats had elevated concentrations of urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen, and half normal erythrocytic hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) activity. Two novel HMBS mutations were detected; one cat had a deletion (c.107_110delACAG) and one cat had a splicing alteration (c.826-1G>A), both leading to premature stop codons and truncated proteins (p.D36Vfs 6 and p.L276Efs 6, respectively). These studies highlight the importance of appropriate biochemical and molecular genetic analyses for the accurate diagnoses of porphyrias in cats and extend the molecular genetic heterogeneity of feline AIP. Thus, although erythrodontia is a classic sign of congenital erythropoietic porphyria in human beings, cats with erythrodontia may have acute intermittent porphyria, a hepatic porphyria.

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.

Multifocal odontoblastic dysplasia in a dog.

A two-year-old Boerboel dog presented for a discolored left maxillary canine tooth. Dental radiographs revealed abnormally mineralized pulp within the discolored tooth. Similar radiographic findings were also seen in both maxillary third incisor teeth and in the remaining canine teeth to varying degrees. The discolored tooth was treated by surgical extraction and histopathology revealed abnormal dentin deposition within the canal indicative of dentin dysplasia. Although not previously documented in the dog, the pulpal changes in multiple teeth of the dog reported here were similar to those described for odontoblastic dysplasia in humans. This case report includes a review of developmental abnormalities of dentin in humans and pulpal response to inflammation and injury.

Oral examination and radiographic evaluation of the dentition in wild cats from Namibia.

Feline tooth resorption has been widely reported in domestic cats and sporadically described in other felidae. The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence of tooth resorption and to report other dental problems in a population of wild felidae. Observations of dental disorders and anomalies were made in skulls from 73 wild felidae (cheetahs, leopards, caracals, African wildcats, and lions) originating from Namibia. In addition, radiographs were taken in 43 cases to determine signs of bone and root pathology. Radiographs showed varying stages of tooth resorption in 16.0% of the specimens. Other dental anomalies found included fused teeth, supernumerary roots, or missing teeth. The prevalence of dental resorption in wild felidae was lower than reported in the domestic cat.

Localized intrinsic staining of teeth due to pulpitis and pulp necrosis in dogs.

Dental charts and records of 71 dogs were received and 84 intact tooth crowns were noted to have been entirely discolored in shades of pink, purple, grey, or tan. Endodontic therapy was performed on 49 of these teeth allowing gross examination of the entire pulp. In exploratory pulpotomy was performed in 15 teeth prior to exodontic therapy in order to assess the integrity of the coronal pulp. Gross signs of partial or total pulp necrosis were present in 59 (92.2%) of these teeth. The pulp was not observed grossly in 20 teeth which received exodontic therapy. Overall, of the 84 teeth evaluated, 36 (42.9%) had no radiographic signs of endodontic disease. Gross or radiographic signs of endodontic disease were absent in only 2 (4.1%) discolored teeth receiving endodontic therapy. Based on the low incidence of vital, affected teeth in the dogs of this study, endodontic on exodontic therapy is recommended for discolored teeth.

Endodontic diagnosis in dogs.

Complete endodontic evaluation should diagnose endodontic involvement, provide a treatment plan, and evaluate the true success or failure probabilities. Evaluation of the age, physical and oral health of the patient, the endodontic anatomy, clinical and radiographic findings can provide a treatment plan and a predictable prognosis.

[Veterinary dentistry (12). Discoloration of teeth in companion animals]. / Veterinaire tandheelkunde (12). Verkleuring van gebitselementen bij gezelschapsdieren.

Tooth discolouration is frequently seen in companion animal practice. Knowledge of the composition and development of the dental tissues involved in such discolouration and identification of the cause of the discolouration and the consequences for the dentition are essential to provide adequate treatment for the problem. This article provides a practical classification of tooth discolouration in companion animals and discusses the most common discolourations.

Reduction in accumulation of plaque, stain, and calculus in dogs by dietary means.

We conducted 215 evaluations for plaque, stain, and calculus in 120 dogs at two research sites. Dogs were balanced in groups of five according to baseline plaque index scores; groups were randomly assigned to treatment or control dietary regimens. Dental cleanings were done on Day 0. Dogs in the treatment group were fed a food formulated to reduce accumulation of plaque, stain, and calculus. Control group dogs were fed a commercially available dry dog food. No other foods, treats, or snacks were given to either group. We graded 22 teeth for plaque accumulation on Day 7 and for stain and calculus accumulation on Day 21. Six trials were conducted and the results reported as a combined mean for all treatment and control groups. Dogs fed the treatment food had significantly less plaque, stain, and calculus accumulation (p = 0.001) than dogs fed the control food. Plaque, stain, and calculus accumulation can be reduced by dietary means.

Oral health assessment in dogs: parameters and methods.

Periodontal disease is the most common disease of adult dogs. Yet, much research needs to be done to delineate the exact pathophysiology of this disease. This paper describes the development of indices to evaluate plaque, calculus, and stain and to evaluate traditional and non-traditional measures of oral hygiene in dogs. We describe and recommend specific indices that permit comparative testing of dental products so veterinarians can recommend those that are safe and have some effect on the substrates thought to contribute to or cause periodontal disease.

Oral health assessment in dogs: study design and results.

The authors have conducted a large number of canine dental studies during the past six years. Study methodologies have been driven by the need for statistical validation of results, requiring the participation of large numbers of animals in each study. For plaque, stain, and calculus evaluations, a "clean tooth" model was used, in which formation of these substrates was assessed days to weeks after an initial coronal cleaning. A primary goal of the studies described was to validate the study designs used--that is, to use accepted plaque-, calculus-, and stain-controlling agents to test whether the study methods could detect differences between treated and untreated groups. The results of clinical studies show that the methods described can be used to identify plaque, calculus, and stain control attributable to chemical agents, oral hygiene aids, and consumable products.

Calcification of the urinary bladder in the wild cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus).

Calcification of the urinary bladder epithelium was observed in 19 of 30 and 18 of 30 wild cotton rats from control and petrochemical-contaminated sites, respectively. The rats in the two sites did not differ significantly in respect of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The calcification was considered to be dystrophic in nature. An unidentified factor common to both control and petrochemical-contaminated sites was considered to be responsible for this syndrome.

Effects of diets containing sodium fluoride on mink.

Mink (Mustela vison) kits still nursing, and adult male mink were fed diets containing various levels of fluorine (as NaF) to determine the effects on health, growth and pelt quality. Different groups were fed diets containing 25.5 (control), 46.0, 111.5 or 287.0 ppm fluorine (on a wet basis) for 7-8 mo. Gross, radiographic and microscopic changes were seen in bones from some animals ingesting the higher levels of fluorine. Chemical analyses for fluorine generally reflected levels ingested. Fluorine caused no detectable differences in pelt quality. After data were evaluated, tolerance levels in the feed of not more than 50 ppm fluorine for breeding stock and 100 ppm fluorine for animals being raised only for pelts are recommended.