Changes

Any abnormalities need to be noted – look for swellings, inflammation, ulcerations. Check if the lesion is localised to one area or more generalised. Always biopsy abnormal tissue if a cause cannot be identified.

Any abnormalities need to be noted – look for '''swellings, inflammation, ulcerations'''. Check if the lesion is localised to one area or more generalised. Always '''biopsy''' abnormal tissue if a cause cannot be identified.

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Under general anaesthesia, it is also useful to recheck the temporomandibular joints for crepitus or clicks if a problem is suspected. The mandibular symphysis should also be checked for mobility – a small degree of movement is normal in cats.

Under general [[anaesthesia]], it is also useful to recheck the '''temporomandibular joints for crepitus''' or clicks if a problem is suspected. The '''[[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Mandible (mandibula)|mandibular symphysis]]''' should also be checked for mobility – a small degree of movement is normal in cats.

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The following indices and criteria should be evaluated for each tooth:

The following indices and criteria should be evaluated for each tooth:

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==Gingivitis and Gingival Index==

==Gingivitis and Gingival Index==

The presence and degree of gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva) is assessed based on a combination of redness and swelling, as well as presence or absence of bleeding on gentle probing of the gingival sulcus. An index which relies on both visual inspection and bleeding, namely the modified Löe and Silness gingival index (Löe, 1967), can also be used:

The presence and degree of gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva) is assessed based on a combination of redness and swelling, as well as presence or absence of bleeding on gentle probing of the gingival sulcus. An index which relies on both visual inspection and bleeding, namely the modified Löe and Silness gingival index (Löe, 1967), can also be used: