Outside of Iceland, the Icelandic horse is prone to the development of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH). The aim of this study was to determine the radiographic prevalence and clinical signs of EOTRH in elderly horses (≥15 years) in Iceland. The rostral oral cavity of 170 horses (aged 15-30 years) was examined clinically. In addition, husbandry and nutritional management history was recorded by use of a questionnaire. Radiographs (2-4 views) of 188 horses were evaluated, findings were categorized by numerical staging of the condition and collated with clinical and anamnestic findings. 45.7% of the horses showed no radiographic changes. 26.6% of the horses were suspicious for EOTRH. In 26.6% of horses mild radiographic stages of EOTRH were seen, while in 1.1% of horses the signs were classified as moderate. Severe manifestation was not present in this sample of horses. Radiographic findings were strongly age-dependent ( < .001). No horse showed EOTRH-associated clinical signs of fistulae, bulbous enlargement of the roots or tooth mobility. The radiographic findings were likely caused by age-related processes. In Iceland, 82.4% of the examined horses spent 9-12 months of the year grazing on pasture. Radiographic, clinical and anamnestic findings were compared with selected findings in a population of Icelandic horses in Germany. Horses in Iceland had 7.8 times less risk of developing EOTRH compared to Icelandic horses in Germany. The remarkably low prevalence of clinical and radiographic EOTRH-like changes in horses in Iceland is likely to be related to their natural living environment.

A 5-month-old Newfoundland dog was presented with lethargy and bilateral enlargement of the mandibles and maxillae. A diagnosis of craniomandibular osteopathy was made based on clinical signs, physical examination, and computed tomography findings. Improved mentation and comfort levels were achieved with pain management using meloxicam and paracetamol. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 2, 6, and 16 weeks after the first consultation. Stabilization of the condition was noted initially, and by 16 weeks, clinical symptoms had markedly improved. Protuberances of the maxillae were markedly reduced compared to the initial presentation, and the maxillae appeared nearly normal. Widening of the mandibles had decreased, and the bony swelling extended less caudally. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of craniomandibular osteopathy in a Newfoundland dog.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been extensively studied and utilized in human and veterinary medicine due to its versatile biological functions, including tissue hydration, anti-inflammatory effects, wound healing, regenerative effects, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antimicrobial properties. Historically, HA was first isolated in 1934 and has since been reviewed and applied across species in numerous clinical and nonclinical settings. In animal studies, canine models have demonstrated the efficacy of HA as an adjunct to periodontal interventions, particularly in improving bone and soft tissue regeneration in controlled experimental settings. Similarly, human studies have shown statistically significant improvements in periodontal outcomes such as probing depth, clinical attachment levels, and decreased periodontal inflammation when HA is used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing or surgical procedures. This review summarizes the current evidence on HA's structure, biological function, and applications in periodontal disease, with a focus on its potential to address unmet needs in veterinary dentistry. Given its demonstrated benign safety profile and proven efficacy in humans, HA holds promise as a valuable therapeutic option for managing periodontal disease in companion animals.

Tooth extraction is the most common oral surgical procedure performed in human and veterinary dentistry. One possible complication during extraction is root fragment displacement into adjacent anatomical spaces. Root fragment displacement into adjacent anatomical spaces can lead to serious side effects including pain and infection; therefore, displaced fragments should be removed when possible. Root fragment removal techniques from the mandibular canal have not been studied in veterinary or human dentistry. A reported complication of dental implant placement in humans is displacement into the mandibular canal, and techniques have been developed to remove these displaced implants. This report compares 2 techniques to remove displaced root fragments from the mandibular canal in canine cadavers based on previously published methods to remove displaced dental implants from the mandibular canal in humans.

Injured birds pose a challenge in veterinary medicine, requiring innovative approaches for restoration of function and enhancing the quality of life. This case report describes the successful reconstruction of the mandibular beak of an parrot (Psittacidae) after a traumatic injury. The injury caused a fracture in the mandibular beak, resulting in significant limitation of function. Computed tomography imaging was used for surgical planning, allowing visualization of the remaining mandibular beak on the parrot's rhamphotheca and determination of the appropriate dimensions of the implanted plate. Plates were surgically applied to reconstruct the mandibular beak structure. The surgery followed an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol, which resulted in enhanced mandibular beak function and total adjustment to the plates. Six months posttreatment, the beak components had fused, and the plates had detached. At the 1- and 2.5-year follow-up, veterinarian assessment noted no concerns with chewing or ingesting food. This study highlights the effectiveness of employing surgical techniques derived from dental expertise and utilizing biomaterials, such as human maxillofacial plates, to successfully reconstruct complex structures in birds.

Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in domestic cats. The goal of periodontal disease treatment is to decrease bacterial accumulation and control inflammation, thereby decreasing periodontal tissue attachment loss. (Haruan) is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to investigate the healing effect of extract (CSE) on periodontitis in cats. Subgingival microbiological samples were taken from 24 stray cats with periodontal disease. The cats were divided randomly into four groups: CSE, commercialized oral product (COP), plain agar gel (PAG), and untreated. Assessment of the periodontal healing based on clinical examinations, gingivitis index, probing depth, recession, calculus index, and healing changes were evaluated weekly. Gingival biopsy samples were obtained on the first, third, fifth, and seventh days. There was a significant difference in the gingivitis index in the CSE, COP, and PAG groups during the treatment period. The histological healing score for the CSE group showed a reduced inflammation score compared to the PAG group on day 5. The fibroblast and collagen deposition scores increased on day 7 for the CSE group compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that CSE could be a plausible therapeutic healing alternative for periodontal disease in cats and could control gingivitis and the formation of plaque after application.

This case series describes the use of cortical allografts, cancellous allografts with and without recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and titanium locking plates for repair of critical-sized defects in 4 mandibles from 3 canine patients. Two mandibles were repaired after oncologic surgery and 2 mandibles were reconstructed due to chronic nonunion fractures. Various techniques were utilized for maintenance of the occlusion intraoperatively. All patients that received postoperative imaging showed evidence of integration of the allograft with the host bone, demonstrating the validity of this technique as a method of repair for mandibular critical-sized defects in dogs.

Mandibular fractures in cats are relatively common and likely to cause malocclusion. Maxillomandibular fixation and internal fixation with plates and screws are among the described repair methods in the literature. Interosseous wiring and interdental splints are surgical techniques indicated for simple and stable fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical stability of 2 caudal mandibular transverse fracture repair techniques using interosseous wires and acrylic interdental splints. Technique 1-Interosseous-to-Interosseous Wire Technique (IIWT) involved fracture stabilization using 2 interosseous wires between the bone fragments on the dorsal and ventral aspects of the mandible. Technique 2-Interosseous-to-Interdental Wire Technique (IIDWT) involved utilization of one interosseous wire between the 2 bone fragments on the ventral aspect of the mandible and a modified interdental wire pattern and splint, made of bis-acrylic material, on the alveolar margin of the mandible. Twenty feline mandibles with grossly normal tooth morphology and complete dentition were chosen for the study. There was no statistical difference between the mechanical strength of IIWT and IIDWT. The peak loads were determined to be 58.47N for IIWT and 63.98N for IIDWT. These findings suggest that IIWT provides mechanical stability comparable to IIDWT and may serve as a simpler alternative for mandibular fracture fixation that allows the patient to return to normal function more quickly. More clinical studies need to be performed to better assess overall stability of repairs in a clinical patient and to determine accurate bite forces in cats.

A 6-year-old Doberman cross-breed dog was presented at a primary veterinary care center in India with loss of appetite, irritability, and pain following a traffic accident. Upon examination there were unfavorable bilateral fractures of the body of the mandible, with ventral displacement of the symphysis due to pull from the geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles. The fracture was reduced and fixed using circum-mandibular 18-gauge surgical orthopedic wire. Postoperatively, the dog was fed a soft and liquid diet for 3 weeks along with pain management and antibiotics. Despite there being semirigid fixation, prompt healing was observed. This article discusses the selection and use of mandibular fracture repair options and treatment for a bilateral mandibular fracture in a limited resource environment in a dog.

Odontomas are rare, benign odontogenic tumors in dogs, cats, humans, and other species. Although odontomas have been referenced as occurring in dogs and cats, there are no publications pertaining to odontomas in cats. This case series of nine odontomas in eight cats includes description of clinical presentations, diagnostic imaging findings, histopathologic characteristics, and treatment outcomes. Common clinical presentations in this study include missing teeth, tooth displacement, presence of a fluctuant mass, and alveolar bone expansion. Diagnostic imaging reveals a mixed radiodense central opacity containing radiopaque tooth-like structures and a variably thick radiolucent rim, consistent with compound odontomas. However, one mature odontoma in an older patient had fusion of the denticles that complicated visualization of discrete denticles radiographically. Three lesions contained unerupted teeth and two had unilocular radiolucencies consistent with cyst formation. Although radiographic findings are often highly diagnostic for odontomas, it is recommended to send an oral biopsy of the lesion to a histopathologist who has a focus on oral and maxillofacial pathology for confirmation of the diagnosis. Common treatments include either surgical en bloc resection or enucleation and curettage. In this study, both treatment types were curative and there was no documented recurrence in the cats for whom follow-up was available.

In this study, the changes caused by local and systemic inflammatory and immunological reactions and oxidative stress in the levels of some biomarkers and parameters in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and blood in dogs with periodontal tissue inflammation were investigated. Fifty dogs were randomly assigned into five equal groups: 1. healthy control (NC); 2. local clinoptilolite applied during treatment (C); 3. amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, clinoptilolite and chlorhexidine used together during treatment (ACC); 4. amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and clinoptilolite applied together during treatment (AC); and 5. amoxicillin-clavulanic acid used during treatment (A). The results showed the increase in the total antioxidant capacity measurement level was significant between days 0 and 7 in all groups except NC. The decrease in the total antioxidant status (TOS) level between days 0 and 7 was found to be significant in all groups. The decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significant between days 0 and 7 in all groups except NC. It was observed that the interleukin-1 (IL-1B) level between days 0 and 7 showed a substantial decrease in the ACC and AC groups and that the matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and osteocalcin levels decreased significantly between days 0 and 7 in the C and AC groups. In evaluating the treatment used in this study, it was concluded that applying amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and clinoptilolite in dogs with periodontal tissue inflammation was more successful than other treatment protocols.

Sedation is important for safe equine dental procedures, but it is unknown if there is a higher risk of sedation causing hypothermia in procedures performed during cold months. The authors hypothesize that sedation for a dental procedure will significantly decrease rectal body temperature in cold as compared to warm ambient temperatures. Adult equids ( = 246), from a private equine dentistry practice, that underwent dental equilibration, were selected for the study. Each horse's weight was estimated and sedation was administered intravenously (0.01 mg/kg detomidine and 0.01 mg/kg butorphanol) and intramuscularly (0.5 mg/kg xylazine and 0.03 mg/kg acepromazine). Ambient and serial rectal temperatures (presedation [PRE], 15 min after initial intravenous sedation [POST15], and at the end of the procedure [END]) were recorded. Statistics included Shapiro-Wilks test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and a Friedman test with Dunn's posthoc test (significant at  < .05). Ambient temperatures ranged from -7.8 °C to 30 °C. The median (95% confidence interval) rectal temperature was PRE: 37.4 (37.2 °C-37.7 °C), POST15: 37.5 (37.2 °C-37.8 °C), and END: 37.4 (37.1 °C-37.7 °C). POST15 temperatures were significantly increased from PRE ( = .001) to END ( = .005) temperatures. PRE to END temperatures were not significantly different ( > .9). There was a weak positive correlation between ambient and POST15 temperatures ( = .26,  < .001) and END temperatures ( = .25,  < .001). Seven animals became hypothermic (<36 °C), only 2 at ambient temperatures below 4.44 °C. Rectal body temperature in equids after sedation at ambient temperatures between -7 °C and 30 °C remains at a safe level in most instances, suggesting dental procedures can be performed under sedation during cold weather.

Many authors recommend abrasive diets to prevent dental overgrowth in pet rabbits. Research, however, indicates that growth adapts to wear. Furthermore, growth in the absence of wear has only been qualitatively but not quantitatively determined. The present study therefore aimed to quantify the growth-wear relation in rabbit incisor teeth by inducing minimal to maximal wear and using the obtained data as well as previously published values. Twelve rabbits were fed a hay-only diet as a control or a gruel as a low-wear diet in a cross-over design for 21 days each. Thereafter, in all animals while on the hay-only diet, the left incisor pair was repetitively trimmed out of occlusion for a maximum of 54 days. Animals received ample gnawing materials except when gruel-fed. Tooth length, growth, and wear were documented throughout. The diet affected proxies (i.e., measurements) only in the maxillary incisors. Growth in response to dental trimming on the other hand was faster in the mandibular incisors. Data indicate a linear adaptation of growth to wear with slopes lower than 1 and a positive intercept in maxillary and mandibular incisors. Although this proposes basal growth and incomplete responsiveness to wear, measurement methods likely cause underestimation and overestimation of the slopes and intercepts, respectively. Importantly, wear always occurs, even when rabbits are fed liquid diets without gnawing opportunities. The present study confirms the adaptive character of growth to wear in rabbit incisors and questions the necessity of dietary abrasiveness to prevent incisor overgrowth.

There are significant gaps in our understanding of the oral biology of the "Vulnerable" spp. of Indonesia. A photographic and computed tomography (CT) scanning study was carried out on 62 maxillary incisors and 114 mandibular incisors of 8 adult male skulls and 14 skulls of . An additional group comprised 4 adult males and one subadult male, . The 4 maxillary incisors (102, 101, 201, and 202) and the 4 mesial mandibular incisors (302, 301, 401, and 402) were open-rooted, dentin structures. The dentine-composed lateral mandibular incisors (303 and 403) had closed roots. Maxillary incisor tooth length, and tooth root length, depth, and breadth were measured. Measurements were also made of mandibular incisor tooth and root lengths, and in 302, 301, 401, 402, the tooth depth and breadth at the apex and at 50% of the incisor length. The pulp depth and breadth of these teeth in both species decreased from the apex along the length of the tooth, while the secondary dentin depth increased. Primary dentine depth measured at the apex of the mandibular teeth did not change. Tooth wear patterns on the lingual surfaces of the incisors were attributed to mandibular yaw movements during mastication.

Periostitis ossificans (PO) is a subtype of chronic osteomyelitis characterized by subperiosteal bone formation as a reaction to mild infection or irritation. In the veterinary medicine literature, it has been described in large breed dogs, aged 3 to 5 months, and was postulated to be caused by mild inflammation related to tooth eruption. This report describes 3 Belgian Malinois puppies from the same litter diagnosed with PO at 3 months of age. The puppies presented with non-painful distal mandibular swellings. Diagnostic procedures included intraoral dental radiographs, a computed tomography scan of the head, and bone biopsies submitted for histopathological examination. PO is typically a self-limiting condition and likely caused by inflammation due to tooth eruption. Therefore, treatment focuses on pain management and monitoring until the permanent teeth emerge. Long-term follow up until two and a half years of age showed a significant decrease to total resolution of the swelling, with minor bone changes evident on advanced imaging. Histopathologic findings are not pertinent for the diagnosis of PO and imaging shows pathognomonic features of the condition. Mandibular PO, craniomandibular osteopathy, and calvarial hyperostotic syndrome are all self-limiting proliferative bone diseases of the skull in juvenile dogs with an implied genetic component. The authors' findings support grouping them as a single disorder called "Idiopathic Canine Juvenile Cranial Hyperostosis" with predilection sites that vary between breeds.

The age at which tooth apical closure in dogs occurs is important for planning endodontic surgery. Limited previous studies in this area have demonstrated apical closure between 7 and 10 months of age. This study aimed to determine the apical closure status for canine, maxillary fourth premolar, and mandibular first molar teeth based on retrospective computed tomography (CT) and dental radiography data. Seven hundred and eighty-eight teeth from 149 patients were assessed by 2 examiners as either open, inconclusive, or closed. Fifty percent of studied apices were found to be closed by 10 months, and 95% closed by 17 months. Mandibular first molar and maxillary fourth premolar teeth apices were determined to close earlier than canine teeth, with 95% closed by 7 months. Canine teeth apices were found to be closed between 7 and 18 months. In dogs over 25 kg, teeth with closed apices were measured in younger dogs and over a shorter age range (95% were closed between 7 and 13 months) than in dogs under 25 kg (95% were closed between 8 and 17 months). A higher percentage of maxillary canine teeth apices were open at a later date than mandibular canine teeth apices. The results show that while some teeth apices close during the previously reported age range of 7 to 10 months, significant variation exists (7 to 18 months). This should be considered when planning endodontic therapy in young patients.

The gingival contour plaque index (GCPI) is a method for measuring gingival margin plaque in dogs. The scoring approach usually characterizes accumulation of dental plaque via a "clean" baseline attained by toothbrushing of conscious animals. However, toothbrushing is a rare pet owner-led practice. Instead, the introduction and/or use of dental interventions is far more likely when a dog's teeth are in a somewhat "dirty" state. In line with such an assumption, 2 studies were conducted to gauge the efficacy of a single feeding instance of several different dental chews following either 7 or 5 days of intentional plaque accumulation. Each singly fed dental intervention led to a statistically significant removal of plaque compared to the no chew control ( ≤ 0.007). This adapted approach to employing GCPI offers a new opportunity to assess the plaque removal efficacy of oral care products, a novel clinical measure of principal value and relevance to the oral health of dogs in the real world.