Changes

It is the most common dental disease in dogs and cats and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient oral hygiene.  

It is the most common dental disease in dogs and cats and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient oral hygiene.  

Initially the bacterial flora tend to be non-motile aerobes or facultative anaerobes. However, as the supply of oxygen is reduced by supragingival plaque accumulation and pocket formation, the bacterial flora become more motile and anaerobic.

Initially the bacterial flora tend to be non-motile aerobes or facultative anaerobes. However, as the supply of oxygen is reduced by supragingival plaque accumulation and pocket formation, the bacterial flora become more motile and anaerobic.

Important bacterial flora responsible include:

Important bacterial flora responsible include:

*''Actinomyces odontolyticus''

*''Actinomyces odontolyticus''

There are two main forms of the disease:

'''Gingivitis''' and '''periodontitis''' are the two main forms of the disease. Gingivitis is the early form of the disease and often but not always progresses to periodontitis.

*'''gingivitis''' -  

 

*'''periodontitis'''

*'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone.

 

*'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque acculmulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated alveolar bone, resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

Gingival hyperplasia often appears as pink, hyperaemic and ulcerated lesions that can be either firm or soft. There can be varying amounts of pigmentation reflecting the normal pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Crowns of teeth are often partially or completely covered by the hyperplastic gingiva forming a potential space or pocket between the gingiva and the crown where plaque is able to accumulate.

Gingival hyperplasia often appears as pink, hyperaemic and ulcerated lesions that can be either firm or soft. There can be varying amounts of pigmentation reflecting the normal pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Crowns of teeth are often partially or completely covered by the hyperplastic gingiva forming a potential space or pocket between the gingiva and the crown where plaque is able to accumulate.