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About Pet Dentistry

Endodontic [download handouts]

Endodontic, or root canal, therapy is a technique used to preserve the form, function, and comfort of broken or dead teeth. 

There are 8 essential teeth in a dog or cat’s mouth.  The 4 large sharp canine teeth are used by pets to grasp food and objects, they can be though of similar to our fingers, and are as important to cats and dogs as our fingers are to us.  The other 4 essential teeth are the large upper 4th premolar and lower first molar on each side.  If one of them is missing on one side, the cat or dog will chew exclusively on the other side and increase wear and trauma to the remaining teeth. 

When a tooth is broken into the pulp the nerve is exposed resulting in severe pain.  Eventually the nerve dies and is no longer painful, though the pulp of the tooth acts as an open conduit for bacteria to get in and cause an abscess at the root, which is once again very painful.  In the case of an unbroken traumatized dead tooth the rotting pulp material also causes a painful abscess.  The goal of root canal therapy is to remove the dead and infected pulp and fill it with a sealant that allows the abscess to heal.  By doing this, the pet can keep the tooth and begin to chew normally. 

The only alternative to performing root canal therapy is to extract the tooth.  Extraction of the tooth is much more traumatic to the pet, and takes 12-16 weeks to fully heal.  Additionally, long term problems from extraction include lack of ability to chew or grasp where the missing tooth is, and increased stress and trauma to the remaining teeth.

Periodontal disease [download handout]

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting pets.  More than 85% of cats and dogs over 4 years old suffer from some degree of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease begins with the formation of plaque on the teeth.  Composed of food particles, shed gum tissue cells, and huge amounts of bacteria, plaque is the fuzzy coating we feel on our teeth when we wake in the morning.  Plaque left on the teeth for more than 48 hours hardens into tartar.  As this process continues day by day, the gum tissue in contact with the tartar becomes painful and inflamed, which is called gingivitis.  As the assault on the gum tissue continues the gum recedes away from the tartar.  More tartar builds up, and the gum continues to recede.  As tartar advances the bone holding the tooth begins to be affected and recedes and discomfort is intensified.  The process will continue until ultimately the diseased gum and bone can no longer hold the tooth in the mouth.
Periodontal disease is a progressive disease, and is graded based on severity:

• Grade I:  gingivitis
• Grade II: up to 25% of bone and gum tissue holding the tooth is gone
• Grade III: 25-50% of supporting structure of tooth is gone
• Grade IV:  Greater than 50% of supporting structure is gone

The most important factor in preventing the advancement of periodontal disease in dogs and cats is dedicated home care.  Daily brushing, dental treats, and dental specific diets such as Royal Canin Dental Diet are essential tools for prevention of periodontal disease.  Doing this will minimize dental problems and greatly increase the time between professional dental cleanings.
Left untreated periodontal disease has graver consequences than bad breath, pain, discomfort, difficulty eating, and tooth loss. Moderate to severe periodontal disease allows the myriad bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream.  The bacteria can colonize on the valves of the heart, in the liver, and kidneys causing life-threatening infections.

Resorptive Lesion [download handout]

Resorptive lesions, also known as cervical line lesions, and FORL’s, are a common problem for cats.  The lesion is very similar to a cavity in a human tooth, but is not caused by decay.  The cause in fact is not known, though it is suspected to be an auto-immune process.  Beginning under the gumline around the affected tooth’s root, the cat’s body begins to dissolve the structure of the tooth.  When the erosion reaches the crown of the tooth and begins to enter the dentin and pulp of the tooth it becomes very painful.  Many techniques have been attempted to repair the affected tooth, but there is nothing effective long-term.  The appropriate treatment for this painful tooth is extraction if roots are still present, or crown amputation if the roots are already resorbing into the jawbone.  Cats who undergo this treatment for resorptive lesions feel relief from pain and discomfort immediately after surgery.