Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

[[File:Oral examination dog.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oral examination of a dog.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Oral examination dog.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oral examination of a dog.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Oral exam cat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oral examination in a cat.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Oral exam cat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oral examination in a cat.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Dog teeth occlusion 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment – mandibular incisors occlude on the palatal aspect of the maxillary incisors (known as a scissor bite), the mandibular canine interdigitates half way between the maxillary canine and third incisor, and the premolars interdigitate in a “picking shear” effect.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Dog teeth occlusion 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment – mandibular incisors occlude on the palatal aspect of the maxillary incisors (known as a scissor bite), the mandibular canine interdigitates half way between the maxillary canine and third incisor, and the premolars interdigitate in a “pinking shear” effect.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Dog incisor occlusion.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment of the incisors of a dog.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

[[File:Dog incisor occlusion.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Occlusal assessment of the incisors of a dog.<small>''© Lisa Milella 2013''</small>]]

Oral examination of a conscious animal is limited to '''visual inspection''' and some '''digital palpation''' only. The aim of the conscious oral examination is to obtain a '''tentative diagnosis''' and help formulate a treatment plan. The owner must be made aware however that it is only under a [[Oral Examination Under General Anaesthesia|general anaesthetic and full examination]] that the true extent of disease can be properly evaluated.

Oral examination of a conscious animal is limited to '''visual inspection''' and some '''digital palpation''' only. The aim of the conscious oral examination is to obtain a '''tentative diagnosis''' and help formulate a treatment plan. The owner must be made aware however that it is only under a [[Oral Examination Under General Anaesthesia|general anaesthetic and full examination]] that the true extent of disease can be properly evaluated.

#Pain may make the animal less co-operative

#Pain may make the animal less co-operative

#Not all surfaces of the tooth are easily visible during conscious examination

#Not all surfaces of the tooth are easily visible during conscious examination

#The periodontal status cannot be assessed in a conscious patient as the area below the [[Enamel Organ#Crown|crown]]/under the gum margin cannot be assessed.

#The periodontal status cannot be assessed in a conscious patient as the area below the [[Tooth - Anatomy & Physiology#Crown|crown]]/under the gum margin cannot be assessed.

#Sometimes pathology can be identified but the full extent of the pathology cannot be assessed until further diagnostic tests, such as [[Intra-Oral Radiography - Small Animal|intra-oral radiographs]] have been taken. Eg. [[FORL|Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions]]

#Sometimes pathology can be identified but the full extent of the pathology cannot be assessed until further diagnostic tests, such as [[Intra-Oral Radiography - Small Animal|intra-oral radiographs]] have been taken. Eg. [[FORL|Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions]]

#Only a tentative diagnosis and treatment plan can be established, hence treatments involved and cost cannot be accurately estimated at this time. This is one of the most important aspects of client communication to avoid conflict after treatment.

#Only a tentative diagnosis and treatment plan can be established, hence treatments involved and cost cannot be accurately estimated at this time. This is one of the most important aspects of client communication to avoid conflict after treatment.

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[[Category:Oral Examination]]

[[Category:Oral Examination]]

[[Category:To Do - Mars Check]]

[[Category:Waltham reviewed]]