www.AnimalDentistrySolutions.com
Centers for Oral Care
Veterinary Dentistry
2nd Opinion
Animal Dentistry Solutions
No. 9---03Dec2016
A BLOG by DH DeForge, VMD
Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry
1-800-838-3368
Charting A New Course
“Ask yourself,
“Why am I doing things the way I’m doing them?”
If the answer is: “Because I’ve always done it this way~then it’s time
to re-evaluate.” Dr. Richard Barnes
One of the
hardest parts of being a veterinarian is accepting change. Habit becomes routine and change can be
excused by being too busy to assimilate NEW knowledge and the benefit of
change.
Here is a way to
determine if you are ready for change.
Ask two or three of your technicians what is their favorite song and
then ask yourself what is your favorite song. If you have never heard of their music, you
have closed your mind to change. You may
not like the sound but you must accept that the culture of music is always
changing. Enjoy what you remember but
never be closed to change.
You cannot pursue
success……. it must come through NEW daily action plans. Your success will always come from blending
traditional thinking with great discovery.
For example….how
many cases of enamel hypocalcification have you seen in the last 12 months that
you dismissed as “normal” or treated with a teeth cleaning. Many people suffer from dental
hypersensitivity and utilize specific dentifrices to relieve pain. Other individuals need treatment[s] by
restorative dentists or periodontists to remove discomfort. Our animal friends deserve the same care to
remove pain and restore a quality of life.
Enamel
hypocalcification involves multiple areas of dentition being devoid of
enamel. This is the “bad pain” that
animals experience when they have enamel loss.
It is a pain that no animal should ever have to suffer. They live with pain thinking that pain is
normal. It is a tragedy of discomfort
that can be eliminated with a check-up by an animal dentist.
Enamel hypoplasia is a defect of the teeth in which the enamel is thin; absent; and-or deficient in
amount, caused by defective enamel matrix formation. Usually, the condition
involves part of the tooth having pits or erosion centers exposing dentin. These are painful teeth.
How is tooth enamel loss treated?
Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on
the problem. Before treatment all teeth
must have dental x-rays. The dental
x-rays will identify pathology and determine choice of care by the animal
dentist. Veterinary dentists will use resin adhesive and composite bonding to
protect affected teeth, decrease pain, and increase patient comfort.
If the enamel loss is significant, an
animal dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown. The crown protects
the tooth from further problems.
Teeth with developmental enamel
defects that have been restored still have plaque and tartar-retentive
properties like any other tooth. They are prone to periodontal disease.
Homecare programs outlined by an animal dentist and periodic professional
supportive periodontal care are a very important part of the commitment to
manage these patients.
Changes noted on oral x-rays may be
minimally present at the time of the initial therapy even though endodontic
disease may already be present. That is
why the client must be counseled on the importance of follow up dental x-rays
in treated patients.
With time and restorative breakdown,
re-exposure of the dentin may occur leading to endodontic compromise. If there is endodontic compromise, root canal
therapy and/or exodontia may be elected by the animal dentist as treatment
choices.
Radiographic evaluation every twelve
months is very important along with supportive periodontal care. Homecare maintenance programs, as initiated
by the animal dentist, become a way of life.
Bonding may need to be repeated, more
frequently, in patients with hard chewing behavior. Patients should be removed from exposure to
rawhide; pig ear; cow hoof; baked marrow bones; meat bones; bully sticks;
antler; hard plastic and rubber toys; and stopped from chewing on sticks or
playing with rocks.
Pre-Treatment:
Post Treatment:
