Management of Generalized Gingival Enlargement in a Dog — Case Report and Literature Review

The present report describes treatment of a dog with generalized gingival enlargement and serves as a review of etiology and treatment options for this condition. The combined use of scalpel blade, electrosurgical equipment, and a 12-fluted bur on a high-speed handpiece with water irrigation allowed for accurate excision of excess gingival tissue and contouring of remaining gingiva. Surgery coupled with professional dental cleaning periodontal therapy can decrease the recurrence of this condition. In addition, home oral hygiene is an important component of the treatment plan. The history of patients with gingival enlargement should be reviewed carefully, including drug history and previous medical conditions, in an attempt to elucidate a specific cause and thus allow for greater long-term success.

[Veterinary dentistry: an update 2008]

Rooted in human dentistry, veterinary dentistry has developed steadily in the Netherlands since the 1980s and is now recognized as an essential discipline of veterinary medicine. The availability of specialized tools and techniques has led to improved treatment outcomes and results, with the choice of treatment being largely determined by the functionality of the dentition and the costs involved. Domestic animals and horses with dental problems should be referred to dental veterinarians. The Working Group Veterinary Dentistry in the Netherlands is an association for skilled veterinarians with professional dental equipment at their disposal.

[Renaissance of equine dentistery, an abandoned discipline, which one tries to recover]

The author illustrates by the study of ancient texts the interest shown for equine dentistry since the age of times. The first detailed studies on the technique go back to the 17th century. The 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries were fertile in instrumental as well as technical discoveries; it was the time of creativity, and he quotes authors like Günther father and son, Frick, Goubaux and Barrier, Mérllat, Cadiot, and Colyer with his enormous work on animal dentistry published in 1936. During and right after the 2nd World War, it is the time of desertion, with only one exception, Erwin Becker, who out of Berlin gives an extraordinary prestige to the dentistry. The beginning of the revival seems to go back to 1975-1980. At this point of time, non veterinarian "dentists" breach in, the moust famous being Dale Jeffrey, who opens a school, creates an academy and publishes a newspaper. The author reviews all the existing teaching method. A new professions is born, the dental technician, one hurdle remains how to integrate it within the world of the veterinarians? The author presents the British example, the best regulated. He also shows how the French National Veterinary Schools have restored the teaching of dentistry. The author regrets that the Medias glorify the dental technicians under the pompous and improper trade name "equine dentists", to the detriment of the veterinarians.

Temperature changes in dental pulp associated with use of power grinding equipment on equine teeth

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the temperature changes in the dental pulp associated with equine dental procedures using power grinding equipment.

DESIGN

A matrix experimental design with replication on the same sample was followed to allow the following independent variables to be assessed: horse age (young or old), tooth type (premolar or molar), powered grinding instrument (rotating disc or die grinder), grinding time (15 or 20 seconds) and the presence or absence of water coolant.

PROCEDURE

Sound premolar and molar teeth from a 6-year-old horse and a 15-year-old horse, which had been removed postmortem, were sectioned parallel to the occlusal plane to allow placement of a miniature thermocouple at the level of the dental pulp. The maximum temperature increase, the time taken to reach this maximum and the cooling time were measured (n=10 in each study). The teeth were placed in a vice and the instrument used on the tooth as per clinical situation.

RESULTS

Significant differences were recorded for horse age (P < 0.001), instrument type (P < 0.001), grinding time (P < 0.001) and presence or absence of coolant (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference for tooth type.

CONCLUSION

Thermal insult to the dental pulp from the use of power instruments poses a significant risk to the tooth. This risk can be reduced or eliminated by appropriate selection of treatment time and by the use of water irrigation as a coolant. The increased dentine thickness in older horses appears to mitigate against thermal injury from frictional heat.

In vitro study of heat production during power reduction of equine mandibular teeth

OBJECTIVE

To measure the amount of heat generated during 3 methods of equine dental reduction with power instruments.

DESIGN

In vitro study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

30 premolar and molar teeth removed from mandibles of 8 equine heads collected at an abbatoir.

PROCEDURE

38-gauge copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted into the lingual side of each tooth 15 mm (proximal) and 25 mm (distal) from the occlusal surface, at a depth of 5 mm, which placed the tip close to the pulp chamber. Group-NC1 (n = 10) teeth were ground for 1 minute without coolant, group-NC2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes without coolant, and group-C2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes with water for coolant.

RESULTS

Mean temperature increase was 1.2 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 6.6 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC1 teeth, 4.1 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 24.3 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC2 teeth, and 0.8 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and -0.1 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-C2 teeth.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In general, an increase of 5 degrees C in human teeth is considered the maximum increase before there is permanent damage to tooth pulp. In group-NC2 teeth, temperature increased above this limit by several degrees, whereas in group-C2 teeth, there was little or no temperature increase. Our results suggest that major reduction of equine teeth by use of power instruments causes thermal changes that may cause irreversible pulp damage unless water cooling is used.

The effect of three types of rasps on the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth: a scanning electron microscopic study

Two hand rasps (tungsten chip blade, solid carbide blade) and an electrically-driven solid carbide axial bur were used to treat the cheek teeth of 2 horses immediately postmortem. All teeth were normal and were rasped to a standard considered satisfactory in practice. Six teeth from each horse served as untreated controls. Following treatment, the teeth were extracted and the clinical crown removed and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Teeth were also extracted and examined from a horse that had excessive dental treatment previously. Dental debris created by the procedures was collected and examined. All three rasp techniques resulted in amputation of odontoblast processes. The solid carbide blade cut deep gouges and grooves into the surface of the dentin, chipping the enamel and peripheral cement. No smear layer was created. Rasping with a tungsten chip blade created a partial smear layer and a smoother surface than the solid carbide blade. The electrically-driven bur produced a complete smear layer and removed all dental tissues to a smooth layer. The enamel had also been damaged by the electric bur. Crown particles collected after the procedures were larger following hand rasping compared with particles produced by the electric bur. The extent of damage to sensitive and vital dentin tissue was of concern. Further studies are required to establish the optimum technique for rasping equine cheek teeth.

[The sharpening and polishing of dental instruments]

This article describes the maintenance of dental instruments in a companion animal practice, in particular the correct sharpening techniques for tartar scrapers, curettes, excavators, and elevators. Sharp instruments are essential for the quality and speed of dental care.

Comparison of the effects of four different power scalers on enamel tooth surface in the dog

The surface roughness of tooth enamel was quantitatively evaluated following scaling with four power scalers at three different tip forces. Ceramic and tooth samples were evaluated for surface roughness using surface profilometry. Applied tip forces were produced with a horizontal balanced arm holding the scaler handpiece and load weight, and were measured using a load cell. The power scalers evaluated were the ultrasonic piezoelectric, ultrasonic magnetostrictive (ferromagnetic stack), sonic, and rotosonic. For the tooth samples, at 50 grams of force, the piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, and sonic scaler roughnesses were similar and the rotosonic scaler outcome was statistically higher. Increasing the applied force significantly increased the roughness produced by the rotosonic and piezoelectric scalers. The results of this study indicate that the type of power scaler and applied tip force used determines the post-scaling surface roughness of ceramic and tooth enamel surfaces.

Dental care and instrumentation

Equine dentistry is not just carpentry work that involves floating the sharp enamel points off cheek teeth. Although floating is the most common and essential part of equine dentistry, every horse deserves a complete veterinary dental examination on a regular basis. Without such an examination, the equine practitioner can not determine the corrective procedures needed inside the horse's mouth. Dentistry for all ages is covered. Necessary instruments for a complete oral examination are also discussed.

Dental operatory design and equipment

Improving and expanding the dental services of a practice can involve purchasing new equipment and even modifying or expanding the physical plant. Operatory design is important to the efficiency with which dental procedures can be performed. Equipment purchases to outfit the dental operatory should be made based on the specific needs and functions of a practice.

Root canal obturation using Thermafil endodontic obturators in dog teeth

The technique of using Thermafil endodontic obturators to fill root canals in dog teeth is discussed in detail. Stainless steel carriers coated with gutta-percha were heated and inserted in instrumented canals of dog teeth. The ease of the technique is discussed and obturation efficacy is evaluated. No perfect apical seal was achieved.

[Veterinary dentistry (5). Instruments for extractions in pets]

The increasing dental care of companion animals requires good instruments. The instruments needed to perform extractions well are described in this article. Research into the use of the most appropriate (used in humans) instruments has led to the establishment of a set of instruments for use for simple and complicated extractions in dogs and cats.

Endodontic instrumentation

Endodontic instruments are used within the tooth pulp chamber and root canal systems. An understanding of the armamentarium of endodontic instrumentation is necessary in the selection of, and proper use of, these instruments. This proper selection and use of instruments along with the meticulous use of the endodontic triad, can greatly increase the probability of success of endodontic procedures. The endodontic triad is canal preparation, sterilization, and obturation. The object of preparation is to prepare the canal to accept obturation with a positive seal and appropriate sealer. This article describes in detail, the types of endodontic instrumentation available.

Problems with dental equipment and materials

The proper selection of dental equipment and materials is of absolute importance in the successful practice of veterinary dentistry. Improper equipment can make a difficult procedure more time consuming or impossible to perform. Materials must be selected that can withstand the oral environment and biting forces of the animal. The purpose of this chapter is not to recommend specific products, but rather to increase the reader's basic understanding of the application and limitations of dental equipment and materials. With better comprehension of the properties of the materials, the veterinary dentist should be able to intelligently select products that will fit the specific needs of his or her veterinary dental practice.

Small animal dentistry: introduction to equipment, methodology and endodontic principles

The anatomical structures of the teeth in dogs and cats, the occurrence and therapy of caries, tooth fractures and the different methods of endodontical therapy in fractured or inflamed teeth, like vital and mortal amputation (pulpotomy) and vital/mortal extirpation are shown. The principles of silver amalgam and "plastic" = composite resin material fillings are explained. Further informations on recommendable instruments, materials and equipment are added.

Instrumentation and technique of removal of permanent teeth in the dog

A practical method was developed to remove the different permanent teeth of the dog as atraumatically as possible and with a minimal risk of complications. Emphasis is placed on the importance of completely loosening the root from its periodontal attachment and subsequently lifting the tooth out by means of a root elevator, instead of forceful extraction with an extraction forceps. Specific considerations for each tooth are given.

Use of conventional endodontic therapy in a case of veterinary medicine

An Air Force veterinarian consulted with an Air Force endodontist concerning the fractured canine in a German shepherd sentry dog. Exposure of the pulp was evident and root canal therapy was initiated; general anesthesia was used. Problems were encountered in preparation of the canal because of its length. Conventional endodontic therapy was completed at a second appointment after custom instruments and filling materials were designed and constructed to compensate for the length of the canal. Successful conventional endodontic therapy was performed on a valuable military dog. Surgical intervention was avoided by designing custom-made materials. Endodontic principles were successfully applied to serve as definitive treatment in veterinary medicine.