Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses

Jeanne R. Perrone

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781119451839
• eBook ISBN: 9781119451853
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Veterinary Medicine

Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 2nd Edition brings together all aspects of canine, feline, and exotic animal dentistry for veterinary technicians and nurses. Offering complete coverage of all aspects of dental treatment for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, the book describes techniques for veterinary technicians providing dental care. The new edition includes brand new information on digital radiology, plus updates to current protocols and improved images throughout the book. 

The chapters contained within include in-depth coverage of all stages of small animal dental care, including: 
• Anesthesia 
• Radiology 
• Dental cleaning 
• Common diseases and treatment 
• Equipment needs and maintenance 
• Exotic dentistry 

Small Animal Dental Procedures for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses includes access to a companion website that provides video clips, review questions, training exercises, forms, and editable glossaries. This book is an essential and invaluable resource for any veterinary technology student, veterinary technician or nurse regularly or occasionally engaged in small animal dental care.

1
The Basics

Gerianne Holzman, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)

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Learning Objectives

• Identify all anatomical sites and systems of the head, skull, and teeth
• Explain the relationship between structures in the oral cavity
• State the eruption timetable for primary and adult teeth
• Describe the stages of tooth development
• State the dental formula for the pediatric and adult dog and cat
• List and define oral directional terminology
• Define and perform both the anatomic and Triadan numbering systems used to count and identify teeth in the pediatric and adult dog and cat

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This comprehensive text on small animal dentistry meets the need for both novice and experienced veterinary technicians to advance their knowledge and explore new career paths. To learn advanced techniques, one needs to begin with the basics. This chapter discusses the anatomy of the skull and the teeth. With this knowledge, the veterinary technician learns the complex relationship between all structures surrounding the oral cavity. Dental disease, while generally thought of as a condition of the mouth, can also affect the nares, sinuses, and eyes.

Most mammals – including humans, dogs, and cats – have two sets of teeth in their lifetime: primary (or deciduous) and permanent (or secondary). Usually, the primary teeth exfoliate before the eruption of the permanent teeth. Malocclusions and dental disease can occur if this natural progression does not happen. (Two teeth should not occupy the same place at the same time.) Knowing the normal age of tooth eruption and the development of the tooth aids the veterinary technician in performing an oral exam.

In the mouth, the usual directional terminology of dorsal, ventral, medial, and lateral does not apply. The oral structures create a unique set of terms to determine location. Learning this specific terminology simplifies charting, surgical assisting, and explaining oral pathology.

Anatomy of the Skull¹

Oral Cavity

The primary structures of the oral cavity consist of teeth, gingiva, tongue, soft palate, and hard palate. These vital organs of mastication and breathing can be involved with oral disease. Knowing what is normal helps in recognizing abnormalities.

Teeth²

Each species has a distinct dental formula. The dental formula is the number and types of teeth expected in a normal mouth. Dogs and cats have four types of teeth, each with separate purposes for eating and chewing. Domesticated animals, fed commercial diets, do not always use their teeth in the same manner as their wild ancestors. Incisors cut, pick up, and groom. Canines rip, tear, and hold. Premolars and molars grind food into a more digestible size (Figs. 1.1 and 1.2). Carnassials are the largest chewing teeth in the mouth. In both the dog and cat, they are the upper fourth premolar and the lower first molar.

Primary dental formula: canine (total 28)

• Maxilla: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (6), molars (0)
• Mandible: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (6), molars (0)

Permanent dental formula: canine (total 42)

• Maxilla: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (8), molars (4)
• Mandible: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (8), molars (6)

Figure 1.1 Canine skull showing permanent dentition

(Illustration by Brenda Gregory).

Figure 1.2 Feline skull showing permanent dentition

(Illustration by Brenda Gregory).

Primary dental formula: feline (total 26)

• Maxilla: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (6), molars (0)
• Mandible: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (4) molars (0)

Permanent dental formula: feline (total 30)

• Maxilla: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (6), molars (2)
• Mandible: incisors (6), canines (2), premolars (4), molars (2)

Dental formulae are ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contributors
• Foreword
• Foreword from Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 1 The Basics
• 2 The Examination Room and the Dental Patient
• 3 Components of the Dental Operatory
• 4 Anesthesia and the Dental Patient
• 5 The Dental Cleaning
• 6 Dental Radiology
• 7 Common Dental Conditions and Treatments
• 8 Feline Dentistry
• 9 Dentistry and the Exotic Patient
• 10 Discharging the Dental Patient
• Appendices
• Index
• End User License Agreement