Centers for Oral Care
Veterinary Dentistry
2nd Opinion
Animal Dentistry
Solutions
No. 4 October 2016---31October2016
A BLOG by DH DeForge,
VMD
Fellow of the Academy
of Veterinary Dentistry
1-800-838-3368
Gingival Pathology
Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival Neoplasia
Gingival
hyperplasia has been defined as enlargement of the gingiva due to an increase
in the number of cells and hypertrophy as enlargement due to an increase in the
size of the cells.
Gingival
hyperplasia secondary to periodontal disease is frequently seen in patients
with unattended oral pathology with no professional care and minimal home care.
Enlargement
of the gingiva is common in Boxers, Great
Danes, Collies, and Dalmations and is thought to be a familial trait.
Drug
reactions can also cause gingival hypertrophy.
It is very important to keep an exact list of all medicines being used
if consulting with an animal dentist because of overgrowth of the gingival
tissues.
There
are aggressive non-cancerous oral tumors and malignant oral tumors that mimic
benign hyperplasia.
It
is essential to see your local doctor of veterinary medicine and consider a
referral to an animal dentist if you note overgrowth of your pet’s gum tissues.
There
are wonderful NEW oral surgery techniques to safely remove the abnormal oral
tissues. At the same time the tissue is
removed, it will be sent to an oral pathologist to help define a cause of the
hypertrophy.
One
technique commonly used to remove hypertrophied gingival is Radiosurgery [4.0 MHz].
The waveform chosen with a specific active electrode allows operative
efficiency and minimizes postoperative discomfort. It prevents seeding of bacteria into the
incision site and eliminates scar tissue formation. Radiosurgery controls hemostasis as it cuts
through hyperplastic gingival tissue.
It
is very important to radiograph all dentition at or near the site of the
hypertrophied gingiva. The overgrowth of
gingiva creates periodontal pockets that can lead to advanced periodontal
and/or endodontic pathology.
Pain
control is paramount and is accomplished with local infiltration, regional,
and/or periodontal ligament never blocks.
The
patients are always discharged on pain medicine and antibiotics if there is
periodontal pathology present. The
veterinary dentist sets up the proper re-check appointments and counsels on the
treatment of other pathology identified at the time of the gingival
recontouring. A report on the oral
pathology specimen[s] sent to the histopathologist is made to the client as
soon as the report reaches the dentist’s desk.
If
you have questions about gingival hyperplasia contact Dr. DeForge at:
DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com or call 1-800-838-3368.
Don DeForge, VMD
Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School
of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. DeForge developed a special interest in oral
care. In 1996, he was honored as North
East Practitioner of the Year by the American Animal Hospital Association. That same year he received the Peter Emily
Residents Award in Small Animal Dentistry.
Dr. DeForge lectures on small animal
dentistry and oral surgery emphasizing practical applications for the general
practitioner. His past columns in companion animal dentistry have appeared in DVM Newsmagazine and Veterinary Practice
News for over a decade. Dr.
DeForge is co-editor of An Atlas of
Veterinary Dental Radiology
along with Ben H Colmery III, DVM, DAVDC.
As a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary
Dentistry, he has been honored by human dentistry. Dr. Jeffrey A. Sherman, DDS , Diplomate of the American Board of Oral
Electrosurgery and Executive Director of the World Academy of Radiosurgery
writes: “Your years of lecturing and writing on the subject of radiosurgery
have not gone unnoticed. I believe your
efforts in creating the E-Journal of
Radiowave Radiosurgery will help your colleagues and makes us all proud of
your efforts. Your discovery of Indirect Radiowave Radiosurgery Coagulation has brought new insight
into the use of radiosurgery in all fields of medicine and should be one of
your proudest accomplishments. It is
with honor that I call you colleague and friend. Please continue all of your fine efforts in
the field of radiosurgery and know that sharing your knowledge is the greatest
gift you have given to the profession.”
