Ross_ECM_dental_2025

Open-rooted teeth (aradicular)

Teeth that continue to grow throughout the life of the animal; seen in certain rodents and herbivores.

Clinical crown

visible part of the tooth

reserve grown

below the gum line

True or False: Elodont & Aradicular mean the same thing.

True, both mean that teeth continue to grow throughout the animal's life.

Rabbit Dentition

4 upper incisors and 2 lower

Lg diastema, mandible, tongue

flat occlusion surface

How do rabbits chew?

lat chewing motion

Why is it important to know that a rabbit has a large tongue?

the tongue obscures the lower molars

Common Rabbit Dental Dz

Includes incisor malocclusion, dental points or spurs, elongated cheek teeth (roots/crowns), tooth root infection (can ld to jaw abscesses

Incisor Malocclusion

congenital in dwarf breeds

acquired from trauma (cage bar trauma can shift roots)

Regular teeth trimming in rabbits for malocclusion tx

usually every 6weeks

teeth should be cut with a diamond disk drill on what speed?

low speed

Complexity of Teeth extractions

need to remove all 6 teeth

upper incisors are more curved, incisor teeth are long and deep and hard to extract

if a root breaks and is left behind, it will regrow

Molar Spurs

develop when the teeth grow towards the tongue, while the upper molarsgrow towards the cheek, causing painful points that can lead to difficulty eating, ulcers and erosions

Molar Spurs should be cut…

under sedation with a lempert bone rongeur

Dental Abscesses (common in rabbits)

may not be visible to the O

most commonly seen on the mandible

seen via from palpation and oral exam followed by a sedated skull rads or CT scan

What are you looking for on rads or CT when evaluating dentition for rabbits?

evaluate for the amt of bony/dental involvement

Rabbit Jaw Abscesses

thick caseous pus

aggressive sx debridement is needed

long-term abxs (weeks) plus pain control

high rate of reoccurrence

Rabbit Jaw Abscesses TX

need to remove abscess capsule and necrotic tissue/debris + bone

provide continual flushing or pack

Long-term tx warranted

What Abx can be used SQ with rabbits with a jaw abscess that you canbot use in GP?

penicillin

Elodont Rodent that has pigmented enamel

Chinchillas

Dental Attrition

Biggest problem in elodont rodents because diets that are low in abrasive silicates, which can lead to overgrown teeth and dental malocclusion.

GP & Chinchilla Dental Dz

loack of dental attrition (causes crown and rooth overgorwth

forces moouth open (dysphagic)

malaclusion can occur

spurs/oral ulceration, drooling

pain/wt loss

Congenital brachygathism

Rare in rodents

Root eval is best on what rad view?

straight rad

Welch-Allyn Bivalve Nasal Speculum

spreads the cheeks of the mouth so you can get better visualization of mouth and teeth

What nutritional problem can affect dnetal occlusion in the GP?

scurvy (vit C deficiency)

Unlike the rabbit, if a Gp’s lower teeth overgrow what occurs?

the tongue can become entrapped

What occurs if the crown teeth overgrow in the GP?

As the teeth continue to grow, the mouth is forced open

What tool is needed to correct GP cheek teeth?

high-speed straight handpiece for cheek teeth

CS of Facial n. paralysis in the GP

lip droop, no blink, crooked jaw

Abx that can be used to tx anaerobes in a rabbit with a jaw abscess

SQ combi-penicillin

metronidazole PO

azithromycin PO

What can be used to pack a rabbit with a jaw abscess?

Cefazolin-soaked packing gauze

Abx impregnated beads PMMA or Kerrier

manuka honey

Peg Teeth

the 2nd pair of upper incisors in rabbits, making their total number of incisors 6.

Rabbit teeth growth rate

10 cm/yr

Elodont-hypsodont or aradicular-hypsodont teeth

Guinea-pig, chinchilla, and rabbits

Closed-rooted teeth

Teeth that stop growing after reaching a certain length; typical of carnivorous mammals like cats and ferrets.

Ferret Teeth

designed for tearing flesh

Why do ferrets usually develop dental dz?

because their teeth are dsigned for tearing flesh, but we give them a softer diet that consists of kibble. Hard kibble leads to damaged enamel and predisposes to tartar.

Incisor Malocclusion

Misalignment or improper growth of incisors, leading to dental issues seen in rabbits and guinea pigs.

Hypsodont

Referring to long-crowned teeth that continue to grow; important for wear from chewing.

Elodont

Referring to teeth that grow continuously for life, common in certain rodents.

Murine Rodent Dentition

rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters

they have pigmented enamel

they only have open-rooted incisors b/c they knaw

Hind-gut fermenters with open-rooted teeth

rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas

designed to eat a diet high in abrasive material

Causes of Dental Dz in Exotic Mammal Pets

Inappropriate diet, malnutrition (vit cin guinea pigs), trauma (bar-chewing), infection (tooth roots/bone, genetics (rabbit incisors)

Periodontal disease

A common dental disease in ferrets characterized by inflammation and infection of the structures around the teeth.

Malnutrition

A state of poor nutrition that can lead to dental diseases in exotic mammals; for example, a deficiency of Vitamin C in guinea pigs.

Abrasive diet

A diet that includes rough materials that help wear down teeth, preventing overgrowth.

Cheek teeth overgrowth

Excessive growth of molars leading to spurs or malocclusion, common in rabbits.

Diastema

A gap or space between the teeth, particularly pronounced in rabbits between incisors and cheek teeth.

Cage bar chewing

A behavior in some rodents that can lead to dental trauma and malocclusion.

Dental points or spurs

Sharp edges that develop on molars due to improper wear, causing discomfort or injury.

Tooth root infection

An infection at the root of the tooth that can lead to abscesses in rabbits and other rodents.

Encapsulation

The process of surrounding an abscess with tissue, which may complicate treatment.

Marsupialization

A surgical technique that allows continuous flushing of an abscess in rabbits.

Radiographs

Essential imaging techniques used to evaluate tooth roots and diagnose dental diseases.

Sedated oral exam

An examination of the mouth performed under anesthesia to facilitate thorough inspection.

Long-term antibiotics

Antimicrobial drugs given for extended periods to treat infections in dental cases.

Jaw abscess

A serious condition in which an infection leads to the formation of a pus-filled sac in the jaw.

Buccal spurs

Overgrowths of the upper molars that can cause injury to the cheek tissues.

Lingual spurs

Overgrowths of the lower molars leading to injury to the tongue.

Dremel tool

A type of high-speed dental drill used in veterinary dentistry for tooth trimming.

Hypothalamic lesion

A possible condition in chinchillas causing difficulty with chewing and feeding.

Bivalve nasal speculum

A dental tool used to open the mouth and allow better access for dental examinations.

Facial nerve paralysis

Loss of function in the facial nerve leading to drooping lips and can complicate dental issues.

Occlusal surface

The chewing surface of the teeth where contact occurs between the upper and lower jaws.

Drooling

Excessive salivation that can occur due to dental pain or discomfort.

Diet modification

Adjusting the diet to provide appropriate nutritional and dental health.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing due to dental issues affecting the oral cavity.

Crown overgrowth

Excessive growth of the tooth crown leading to dental malocclusion.

Cheek dilators

Tools used to widen the mouth for better access during dental procedures.

Lempert bone rongeurs

Surgical instruments used to remove bone surrounding teeth during extraction.

Incisor extraction

The surgical removal of incisors, typically in cases of severe malocclusion.

Veterinary dental care

The field of veterinary medicine focusing on oral health and diseases of companion animals.

Gnawing rodents

Rodents such as rats and mice, which have open-rooted incisors for constant growth.

Tartar

Calcified plaque that forms on teeth, often leading to periodontal disease.

Incisor reduction techniques

Methods used to shorten overgrown incisors to restore proper dental function.

Genetic factors

Inherited traits that may contribute to dental diseases, especially in certain breeds.

Dental formulas

Representations of the types and numbers of teeth in different species.

Hedgehog dentition

A specific tooth structure adapted for an insectivore diet, characterized by sharp teeth.

Acrylic packing material

Used in veterinary dentistry to pack abscess cavities after removal.

Crown status

Condition and size of the tooth crown affecting dental health.

Prognosis

The likely outcome of a dental treatment or condition in exotic mammals.

Veterinary technician

A trained professional who assists veterinarians in dental procedures.

Oral spurs

Bony growths that can form in the mouth and lead to discomfort during feeding.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums that often accompanies periodontal disease.

Erosions

Wearing away or damage of soft tissues in the oral cavity due to dental diseases.

Dental drills

Tools used by veterinarians to perform various dental treatments and procedures.