Evaluation of Perceived Technical Skill Development by Students During Instruction in Dental Extractions in Different Laboratory Settings-A Pilot Study.

In veterinary general practice, dental extractions are common procedures that require a specific set of surgical skills. Veterinary medical educators are tasked with preparing students for general practice, equipping them with medical knowledge and surgical skills. Results of this pilot study demonstrate students' preference for circle-based laboratory setup, a perceived high value of immediate feedback when performing laboratory exercises, and a lack of preference for timing of the laboratory relative to the relevant material provided in lecture. The impact of lecture, supplemental information, and laboratory setup on development of these surgical skills are explored.

Apical Microleakage in Root Canals Obturated With 2 Different Endodontic Sealer Systems in Canine Teeth of Dogs.

An apical dye leakage test was utilized to compare 2 endodontic sealer systems commonly used in veterinary endodontic treatment. Rotary instrumentation followed by injection of 2 different sealers (GuttaFlow 2 and AH Plus) and a single master cone obturation technique were compared. Following obturation and restoration, specimens were immersed in India ink for 48 hours. A tooth mineral clearing technique was utilized to render the tooth samples transparent. Subsequently, the apices were evaluated for prevalence and magnitude of apical dye penetration under magnification. Statistical analysis of the results revealed no significant differences in the prevalence or magnitude of apical dye penetration between groups.

Treatment of Bignathic Malocclusions With Multistage Active Force Orthodontic Movements in a Cat.

Abstract Untreated malocclusions may lead to negative oral health sequelae including, but not limited to, pain, dental trauma, periodontal disease, and endodontic disease. Thus, orthodontic treatments of malocclusion in companion animals are often pursued for reasons other than cosmesis. Treatment may provide a pain-free, functional occlusion with the opportunity for the best possible long-term oral health. This report describes the multistage orthodontic treatment of a bignathic malocclusion in a cat, highlighting the complexities and complications that may arise with orthodontic movement of multiple teeth.

Detection of feline coronavirus in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) feces by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction in cheetahs with variable frequency of viral shedding.

Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are a highly threatened species because of habitat loss, human conflict, and high prevalence of disease in captivity. An epidemic of feline infectious peritonitis and concern for spread of infectious disease resulted in decreased movement of cheetahs between U.S. zoological facilities for managed captive breeding. Identifying the true feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection status of cheetahs is challenging because of inconsistent correlation between seropositivity and fecal viral shedding. Because the pattern of fecal shedding of FCoV is unknown in cheetahs, this study aimed to assess the frequency of detectable fecal viral shedding in a 30-day period and to determine the most efficient fecal sampling strategy to identify cheetahs shedding FCoV. Fecal samples were collected from 16 cheetahs housed at seven zoological facilities for 30 to 46 consecutive days; the samples were evaluated for the presence of FCoV by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR). Forty-four percent (7/16) of cheetahs had detectable FCoV in feces, and the proportion of positive samples for individual animals ranged from 13 to 93%. Cheetahs shed virus persistently, intermittently, or rarely over 30-46 days. Fecal RT-nPCR results were used to calculate the probability of correctly identifying a cheetah known to shed virus given multiple hypothetical fecal collection schedules. The most efficient hypothetical fecal sample collection schedule was evaluation of five individual consecutive fecal samples, resulting in a 90% probability of identifying a known shedder. Demographic and management risk factors were not significantly associated (P < or = 0.05) with fecal viral shedding. Because some cheetahs shed virus intermittently to rarely, fecal sampling schedules meant to identify all known shedders would be impractical with current tests and eradication of virus from the population unreasonable. Managing the captive population as endemically infected with FCoV may be a more feasible approach.

The Air-Driven Dental Unit: Form and Function at a Mechanical Level.

The goal of this article is to provide an overview at a mechanical level of how the dental machine functions. A description of the low-speed handpiece and its air-driven micromotor as well as the high-speed handpiece and turbine will be provided. The compressor, rheostat, air-water syringe, suction, fiber-optic light, and handpiece couplings will also be discussed. It is important to understand the function of equipment to allow for troubleshooting problems and understanding maintenance requirements to keep equipment functioning optimally.

Evaluation of Gingivitis in Pregnant Beagle Dogs.

Periodontal disease (PD) in pregnant women has been correlated with negative impacts on pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight, preterm labor, and increased neonatal mortality. This study aimed to explore similar associations in dogs. Medical, dental, and reproductive records of healthy female beagles producing one or more litters within a research breeding facility were evaluated over a 1.5-year period. Dental scoring (1-6) was based on a facility-developed, subjective assessment of gingivitis and calculus deposition following parturition. Assessment of periodontitis was not performed. Statistical analyses were performed to find correlations between the dam's dental score and pregnancy outcomes (length of gestation, litter size, stillborn, and failure to thrive puppies). Dam age, litter size, and perinatal mortalities were controlled in the statistical models. Data were collected from 808 dams, 1344 litters, and 7197 puppies; 75.3% of the 1344 dam scores were categorized as dental score 3 or less with a mean of 2.7. None of the evaluated pregnancy outcomes had any significant correlations with the severity of dental scores. The lack of a significant relationship between dental score and pregnancy outcomes may be the result of the low number of dogs with severe gingivitis and calculus deposition, the variability of dental score timing postparturition, and/or the subjective facility-generated dental scoring method that did not include universally accepted methods for gingivitis and periodontitis assessment. Studies involving more animals with severe PD utilizing objective, universally accepted methods for gingivitis and periodontitis assessment are warranted to say with confidence no association exists.