1. Veterinary Dentistry
CTVT: Chapter 34
begins on page 1297

2. Objectives Recognize a patient’s dental health status
Perform techniques, as prescribed by a veterinarian, to promote and maintain dental health
*Perform routine dental prophylaxis
*Understand client education regarding home care

3. Why is Veterinary Dentistry Important?
Dental disease can lead to:
Anorexia
Chronic pain syndromes
Organ disease
American Veterinary Dental College
Organization recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Board Certified Veterinary Dentist

4. Veterinary Dental Organizations
Opportunities for advanced training in dentistry:
NAVTA responsible for governing and overseeing Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS).
Anesthesia, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, dentistry, behavior, zoo, etc
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) credentials LVTs as specialists in dentistry
Requires 3000 hours experience then…secure a mentor, maintain case logs, write case reports, pass a specialty exam, and attend extra CE courses.
See for further info.

5. Why is it exciting?!

6. Ethical and Legal Aspects
The level of dental care that a veterinary technician may provide varies from state to state.
The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) considers it appropriate for the veterinarian to delegate maintenance dental care and certain dental tasks to vet techs.

7. Dental Tasks for Veterinary Technicians
Oral examination and charting
Professional dental cleaning “Dental prophylaxis”
Taking and developing dental radiographs
Taking impressions and making models
Performing nonsurgical, subgingival root planning
Client education
*Procedures performed by veterinary technicians must not result in alterations in the shape, structure, or positional location of teeth in the dental arch.

8. History and Extraoral Examination
Dental procedures require general anesthesia
Obtain a proper history
Ask about general medical info, medications, nutrition/treats, toys
Extraoral exam
Palpate muscles of the face
Retropulse the eyelids
Look for symmetric depth and firmness
Look for ocular and nasal discharge
Palpate submandibular lymph nodes

9. Intraoral Examination
The entire mouth should be evaluated:
1. Soft tissue
Mucosa- should be pink or pigmented; no lesions seen
Two salivary ducts bumps dorsal to max. 4th PM/1st M
Hard palate- covered in ________
Incisive papilla- midline, caudal to incisors
Pharynx- evaluate for inflammation/neoplasia
Tongue- chewing lesions present?

12. Intraoral Examination
2. Teeth
Number, fractures, mobility, etc
3. Periodontium
Inflammation, pockets,
bone loss, etc
*Radiographs often necessary

13. The Periodontum
The periodontum is the area where the tooth meets the gum.
To attach the tooth to the jaw and provide support, resistant to normal, functional forces.
It includes:
Gingiva
Periodontal ligament
Cementum
Alveolar bone

14. The Periodontum Gingiva = gum tissue surrounding teeth
Healthy gingiva can be pink or pigmented
The margin lies closely against the crown of the tooth
Gingival _________ is the shallow groove between the tooth and the gingiva.
Normal depth is 0-3 mm in canines; up to 1 mm in felines
Called a _________________ when abnormal.

15. The Peridontium
Cementum is a bone-like tissue that covers the root surface.
It is stronger than bone but not as strong as enamel.
It is capable of repairing itself.
Alveolar bone forms the tooth socket.
Blood vessels and nerves run through the alveolar bone
Periodontal ___________ attaches cementum to the alveolar bone.

16. Occlusion
Orthodontics studies the way in which the teeth meet each other (occlude).
Occlusion is defined as the normal position of the teeth when the jaws are closed.
In normal occlusion, teeth come together in a scissors bite.

17. Scissor Bite Evaluation
Scissors bite is evaluated in three locations:
1. The mandibular canine tooth resides in the ________________ space of the upper third incisor and the upper canine tooth.
2. The upper fourth premolar is labial to the lower first molar, which together, constitute the ____________ teeth.
3. Maxillary incisors are slightly ___________ to the mandibular incisors.

18. Normal Occlusion

19. Normal scissors occlusion in a dog: Rostral view of incisors and canine teeth

20. Mesocephalic Breeds
Well proportioned skull width and maxillary length;
Ex. Dalmations, Labs, German shepherd dogs.

21. Dolichocephalic Narrow skull and long maxilla;
Sight hounds, collies & Siamese cats.

22. Brachycephalic Breeds
Wide skull with a short maxilla;
Pugs, Bulldogs & Persian cats

23. Normal Scissors Occlusion: When all three locations are normal- the premolars interdigitate toward the opposing interdental space.