Changes

Examination under general anaesthesia:

Examination under general anaesthesia:<br><br>

The endotracheal tube does not allow one to close the mouth to examine relationship of the teeth to one another. Also, prior to intubation, in the anaesthetised patient, the muscles are relaxed and the tongue often gets in the way, so a complete evaluation of occlusion is not always possible.

The endotracheal tube does not allow one to close the mouth to examine relationship of the teeth to one another. Also, prior to intubation, in the anaesthetised patient, the muscles are relaxed and the tongue often gets in the way, so a complete evaluation of occlusion is not always possible.

The oropharynx should be examined prior to endotracheal intubation. Normal anatomical features of the oral cavity need to be identified and inspected. A check list is given below:

The oropharynx should be examined prior to endotracheal intubation. Normal anatomical features of the oral cavity need to be identified and inspected. A check list is given below:

Oropharynx :

Oropharynx :

·        Soft palate

·        Soft palate

·        Hamular process of the pterygoid

·        Hamular process of the pterygoid

·        Fauces

·        Fauces

Lips and Cheeks :

Lips and Cheeks :

·        Mucocutaneous junction

·        Mucocutaneous junction

·        Frenula (maxillary and mandibular)

·        Frenula (maxillary and mandibular)

·        Salivary papilla (parotid and zygomatic)

·        Salivary papilla (parotid and zygomatic)

Oral mucous membranes :

Oral mucous membranes :

·        Alveolar mucosa

·        Alveolar mucosa

·        Free gingiva

·        Free gingiva

·        Mucosa of the hard and soft palate

·        Mucosa of the hard and soft palate

Hard palate :

Hard palate :

·        Incisive papilla

·        Incisive papilla

·        Incisive duct openings

·        Incisive duct openings

·        Palatine rugae and raphe (always check the rugae for hair impaction in dogs presenting with halitosis especially brachycephalic breeds)

·        Palatine rugae and raphe (always check the rugae for hair impaction in dogs presenting with halitosis especially brachycephalic breeds)

Floor of mouth :

Floor of mouth :

·        Sublingual caruncle

·        Sublingual caruncle

·        Lingual salivary gland

·        Lingual salivary gland

·        Tongue papillae

·        Tongue papillae

   

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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. It is also useful to check the mandibular symphysis 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. It is also useful to check the mandibular symphysis 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:

1. Gingivitis and gingival index

1. Gingivitis and gingival index

4. Furcation involvement

4. Furcation involvement

5. Mobility

5. Mobility

   

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In animals with large accumulations of dental deposits (plaque and calculus) on the teeth, it may

In animals with large accumulations of dental deposits (plaque and calculus) on the teeth, it may

be necessary to remove these to assess periodontal status accurately. Care must be taken not to damage the gingival tissues whilst removing the calculus.

be necessary to remove these to assess periodontal status accurately. Care must be taken not to damage the gingival tissues whilst removing the calculus.

   

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Instruments used to examine the mouth

Instruments used to examine the mouth:

Periodontal probe

Periodontal probe

The periodontal probe is used to:

The periodontal probe is used to:

• Evaluate furcation lesions

• Evaluate furcation lesions

• Evaluate extent of tooth mobility.

• Evaluate extent of tooth mobility.

   

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Dental explorer

Dental explorer

The dental explorer or probe, a sharp-ended instrument, is used to:

The dental explorer or probe, a sharp-ended instrument, is used to:

• Determine the presence of caries

• Determine the presence of caries

• Explore other enamel and dentin defects, e.g.fracture, odontoclastic resorptive lesions.

• Explore other enamel and dentin defects, e.g.fracture, odontoclastic resorptive lesions.

   

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Dental mirror

Dental mirror

   

   

Various charts are available and the particular choice depends on operator preference.

Various charts are available and the particular choice depends on operator preference.

A complete dental record is required for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, as well as for medicolegal reasons.

A complete dental record is required for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, as well as for medicolegal reasons.

   

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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.

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  :

An index which relies on both visual inspection and bleeding, namely the modified Löe and Silness gingival index (Löe, 1967), can also be used  :

Gingival index 0  - Clinically healthy gingiva

Gingival index 0  - Clinically healthy gingiva

Gingival index 1 - Mild gingivitis: slight reddening and swelling of the gingival margin; no bleeding on gentle probing of the gingival sulcus

Gingival index 1 - Mild gingivitis: slight reddening and swelling of the gingival margin; no bleeding on gentle probing of the gingival sulcus

Gingival index 2  - Moderate gingivitis: the gingival margin is red and swollen; gentle probing of the gingival sulcus results in bleeding

Gingival index 2  - Moderate gingivitis: the gingival margin is red and swollen; gentle probing of the gingival sulcus results in bleeding

Gingival index 3  - Severe gingivitis: the gingival margin is very swollen with a red or bluish-red color; there is spontaneous hemorrhage and/or ulceration of the gingival margin

Gingival index 3  - Severe gingivitis: the gingival margin is very swollen with a red or bluish-red color; there is spontaneous hemorrhage and/or ulceration of the gingival margin

Periodontal probing depth (PPD)

Periodontal probing depth (PPD)

The depth of the sulcus can be assessed by gently inserting a graduated periodontal probe until resistance is encountered at the base of the sulcus. The depth from the free gingival margin to the base of the sulcus is measured in mm at several locations around the whole circumference of the tooth. The probe is moved gently horizontally, walking along the floor of the sulcus. The gingival sulcus is 1–3 mm deep in the dog and 0.5–1 mm in the cat. Measurements in excess of these values usually indicate periodontal disease, when the periodontal ligament has been destroyed and alveolar bone resorbed, thus allowing the probe to be inserted to a greater depth. The term used to describe this is periodontal pocketing. All sites with periodontal pocketing should be accurately recorded. Gingival inflammation resulting in swelling or hyperplasia of the free gingiva will, of course, also result in measuring sulcus depths in excess of normal values. In these situations, the term pseudopocketing is used, as the periodontal ligament and bone are intact (i.e.there is no evidence of periodontitis) and the increase in PPD is due to swelling or hyperplasia of the gingiva.

The depth of the sulcus can be assessed by gently inserting a graduated periodontal probe until resistance is encountered at the base of the sulcus. The depth from the free gingival margin to the base of the sulcus is measured in mm at several locations around the whole circumference of the tooth. The probe is moved gently horizontally, walking along the floor of the sulcus. The gingival sulcus is 1–3 mm deep in the dog and 0.5–1 mm in the cat. Measurements in excess of these values usually indicate periodontal disease, when the periodontal ligament has been destroyed and alveolar bone resorbed, thus allowing the probe to be inserted to a greater depth. The term used to describe this is periodontal pocketing. All sites with periodontal pocketing should be accurately recorded. Gingival inflammation resulting in swelling or hyperplasia of the free gingiva will, of course, also result in measuring sulcus depths in excess of normal values. In these situations, the term pseudopocketing is used, as the periodontal ligament and bone are intact (i.e.there is no evidence of periodontitis) and the increase in PPD is due to swelling or hyperplasia of the gingiva.

   

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Gingival recession

Gingival recession

Gingival recession is also measured using a periodontal probe. It is the distance (in mm) from the cemento-enamel junction to the free gingival margin. At sites with gingival recession, PPD may be within normal values despite loss of alveolar bone due to periodontitis.

Gingival recession is also measured using a periodontal probe. It is the distance (in mm) from the cemento-enamel junction to the free gingival margin. At sites with gingival recession, PPD may be within normal values despite loss of alveolar bone due to periodontitis.

   

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Furcation involvement

Furcation involvement

Furcation involvement refers to the situation where the bone between the roots of multirooted teeth is destroyed due to periodontitis (Fig. 6.4). The furcation sites of multirooted teeth should be examined with either a periodontal probe. The grading of furcation involvement:

Furcation involvement refers to the situation where the bone between the roots of multirooted teeth is destroyed due to periodontitis (Fig. 6.4). The furcation sites of multirooted teeth should be examined with either a periodontal probe. The grading of furcation involvement:

Grade 0 - No furcation involvement

Grade 0 - No furcation involvement

Grade 1 - Initial furcation involvement: the furcation can be felt with the probe/explorer, but horizontal tissue destruction is less than 1/3 of the horizontal width of the furcation

Grade 1 - Initial furcation involvement: the furcation can be felt with the probe/explorer, but horizontal tissue destruction is less than 1/3 of the horizontal width of the furcation

Grade 2 - Partial furcation involvement: it is possible to explore the furcation but the probe/explorer cannot be passed through it from buccal to palatal/lingual; horizontal tissue destruction is more than 1/3 of the horizontal width of the furcation

Grade 2 - Partial furcation involvement: it is possible to explore the furcation but the probe/explorer cannot be passed through it from buccal to palatal/lingual; horizontal tissue destruction is more than 1/3 of the horizontal width of the furcation

Grade 3 - Total furcation involvement: the probe/explorer can be passed through the furcation from buccal to palatal/lingual

Grade 3 - Total furcation involvement: the probe/explorer can be passed through the furcation from buccal to palatal/lingual

   

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Tooth mobility

Tooth mobility

Note that multirooted teeth are scored more severely and a horizontal mobility in excess of 1 mm is usually considered a Grade 3 even in the absence of vertical movement.

Note that multirooted teeth are scored more severely and a horizontal mobility in excess of 1 mm is usually considered a Grade 3 even in the absence of vertical movement.

Grade 3 - Vertical as well as horizontal movement

Grade 3 - Vertical as well as horizontal movement

   

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Crown abnormalities

Crown abnormalities

Any surface defect of the crown needs to be identified and recorded. Surface defects are diagnosed using the explorer probe – the sharp point is run across the crown to identify any catches. Crown defects such as enamel dysplasia, fractured teeth (with or without pulp exposure), worn teeth, caries lesions or odontoclastic resorptive lesions are noted on the chart and treated appropriately.

Any surface defect of the crown needs to be identified and recorded. Surface defects are diagnosed using the explorer probe – the sharp point is run across the crown to identify any catches. Crown defects such as enamel dysplasia, fractured teeth (with or without pulp exposure), worn teeth, caries lesions or odontoclastic resorptive lesions are noted on the chart and treated appropriately.

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry]]

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry]]