Extra Oral and Intraoral Dental Examinations
Periodontal disease is a condition of the gums and bones around the teeth. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection, which can lead to inflammation of the gums and jawbone (Cunha et al., 2022). Its examination requires extra-oral and intra-oral dental examinations.
An extra-oral examination is when the doctor examines the patient’s external organs to determine dental treatment. As such, the veterinarian examines the head, then moves to the skin and eyes (Cunha et al., 2022). The head mainly reveals the position of the jawbones. A swelling on one of the jawbones may indicate an infection.
The skin is examined for lesions, which also indicate infections. The eyes are inspected for any abnormalities since the eyes and teeth share nerve and vascular connections. (Cunha et al., 2022). An anesthetic is administered during the intraoral examination to guarantee a comprehensive and secure assessment of the animal’s oral health.
Every tooth is carefully inspected for wear, fractures, mobility, plaque and tartar buildup, and indications of decay. The gum line receives special attention because it is often where periodontal disease first appears. Gingivitis symptoms, such as redness, swelling, or bleeding in the gums, are closely examined.
In addition, a mirror inspection is used to verify that the floor of the mouth is free of inflammation and maintains its moist appearance, both of which are suggestive of excellent health. A healthy tongue and palate usually present as pink with no anomalies; the tongue and palate are also thoroughly examined for any lesions, discoloration, or abnormal growths.
Dental charting is an essential component of the intraoral examination process. This entails painstaking recording of diverse findings, including identifying tooth loss and documenting anomalies such as cavities, periodontal pockets, loose teeth, and lesions. Each tooth’s tartar and plaque levels are also shown on the chart. It also contains a history of all necessary procedures, including cleanings, extractions, and prescriptions.
Early Stages and Pathogenesis
Bad breath is the preliminary manifestation of periodontal disease. It is produced when saliva and bacteria on the tongue combine to form sulfur compounds. Bacterial metabolism concerns the cellular-level production of unstable chemical substances.
The immune system’s response to plaque, which hardens into tartar and irritates the gums, causes the second symptom, reddening and swelling. The body releases pro-inflammatory cytokines to combat plaque bacteria, which is the motive of this infection. As a result of bacterial toxins and the body’s reaction, which erodes bone and connective tissue, tartar causes pain when one bites. The final early signal, tooth loss, is the result of bacterial irritation weakening the gum-enamel connection.
The loss of attachment distinguishes four stages of periodontal disease:
- Stage I (Gingivitis): Inflammation with little or no attachment loss (<25%).
- Stage II (Early Periodontitis): 25-50% attachment loss.
- Stage III (Moderate Periodontitis): 50-75% attachment loss, often with bone loss.
- Stage IV (Advanced Periodontitis): Severe disease with >75% attachment loss and extensive bone loss (Chatzopoulos et al., 2023). Specific percentages for each stage are not universally defined and can vary from case to case. Therefore, the presented % rates are constructed based on a 100% scale, where the lowest represents mild severity and the highest is heightened severity.
Materials for Surgical Intervention
Materials commonly used for surgical intervention in Grade IV periodontal disease cases include barrier membranes, biological agents, scaffolds, and grafting biomaterials (Ausenda et al., 2019). These materials help restore health to the periodontal tissue in the following ways: a barrier membrane prevents the soft and hard tissues from contacting one another. This also provides the necessary space for suitable cells to form.
Biological agents are growth factors that promote osteoinduction (Ausenda et al., 2019), which supports bone healing. This means the agent will promote jawbone healing during periodontal regeneration. The dentist uses scaffolds to guide the migrated cells back into the neighboring tissues. After this, cellular proliferation can be restored.
Lastly, grafting biomaterials is functional in periodontal regeneration by replacing tissues and providing a supportive framework to prevent soft tissue collapse. Teeth are extracted using tissue forceps, extraction forceps, and needle holders. Tissue forceps are used to increase exposure of the teeth from the tissues, extraction forceps are used to pull the teeth from the socket, and needle holders are used to hold the extraction forceps and needles during the procedure.
Preventive Measures
To prevent periodontal diseases, clients should take two critical measures. These include brushing animals’ teeth regularly and visiting a veterinary dentist for checkups at least once a year (Cunha et al., 2022). To introduce tooth brushing to pets, owners can train them to be comfortable with having their hands and a toothbrush around their mouths. Then, put toothpaste on the brush and teach it to open the mouth for brushing.
Brush the teeth on the first days, and when it gets used to brushing, one can go deeper on the inner sides of the teeth. Lastly, reward the dog for brushing to help it become a regular habit. Notably, brushing should be done in a circular motion using the Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste. Since the outer surfaces of the back teeth and canines are more vulnerable to tartar accumulation, they should receive priority cleaning if time is limited.
Proper brushing technique is necessary for effective dental care. Owners should focus on the gum line, where plaque tends to accumulate, and move in a circular motion. Since human toothpaste contains doubtlessly dangerous components, it should not be used on pets.
Visiting a veterinary dentist regularly for annual exams helps maintain oral hygiene. The dentist will verify this by eliminating risk factors and assessing warning signs (Cunha et al., 2022). Clients should also be educated about these preventive measures through door-to-door campaigns that provide educational materials and handouts. This will help spread knowledge to a broader client base.
References
Ausenda, F., Rasperini, G., Acunzo, R., Gorbunkova, A., & Pagni, G. (2019). New perspectives in the use of biomaterials for periodontal regeneration. Materials, 12(13), 2197.
Chatzopoulos, G. S., Jiang, Z., Marka, N., & Wolff, L. F. (2023). Association between periodontitis extent, severity, and progression rate with systemic diseases and smoking: A retrospective study. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 13(5), 814–830.
Cunha, E., Tavares, L., & Oliveira, M. (2022). Revisiting periodontal disease in dogs: How to manage this new old problem? Antibiotics, 11(12), 1729.
