Case Studies
(1) Sweet Pea’s Case Report
On February 27, 2015 “Sweet Pea” Toby, a female greyhound of unknown age (over 5 years) was brought in by her owner for an anesthesia-free dental. “Sweet Pea” was bright alert and responsive. Her owner informed the veterinarian that she had no known health problems. The veterinarian on site cleared her for the procedure.
“Sweet Pea” lay down calmly and comfortably for the procedure on a thick pillow on the floor in the technician’s lap. The technician wore surgical gloves and a mask and gave the dog some Bach Flower essence to help with any anxiety.
The technician performed an initial oral exam of the oral cavity checking for loose or broken teeth, tumors, foreign bodies, abscesses, obvious periodontal disease, or abnormalities of the soft tissues. If any of these issues had been present we would not proceed with the dental and inform the owner. Often in order to thoroughly check the technician must first remove areas of heavy calculus. If we do not do the dental there is no charge. So nothing lost by the owner.
A sterile scaler and calculus rongeur were used to remove the plaque and calculus from all the teeth above and below the gum line. This took approximately 35 minutes. The technician then used a blacklight to highlight any calculus she may have missed. The black light will glow about 80% of calculus pink. She then probed the gum line of all the teeth and recorded the depths. She recorded the state of the teeth. She then recorded and charted the state of the gums and soft tissues. The technician then used an electric polisher to polish the surfaces of the teeth.
The following was contained in her report:
Teeth had moderate calculus and a moderate amount of bleeding and some staining. There were 2 missing teeth 108 and 208 (both upper carnassial teeth). Some teeth were worn with no pulp exposure, 410, and 3 of the canines, 404,304, and 204. All the lower incisors were worn with pulp exposure.
The gums were mostly a grade 1 gingivitis. All inflammation is reversible. There were 2 areas of 1 mm gum detachment at 409 and 309 (both lower molar number ones.) graded at 2 (25% or less of attachment loss.) All gum depths probed less than 3mm.
The lower canines had made a depression in the upper gingiva between the upper canines and incisor number 3’s.
The owner was informed of everything that was found in the mouth and encouraged to get an X- ray because of the pulp exposure and recession.
(2) Sunny’s Case Report
On September 27, 2014 “Sunny” Gore a female white golden doodle 7 years of age was brought in by her owner for an anesthesia free dental cleaning. Sunny appeared bright alert and responsive, her owner informed us that she had no knowledge of any health problems. The veterinarian on sight cleared Sunny for the procedure.
The dog lay down comfortably and calmly on a thick pillow in the technician’s lap. Her teeth were scraped with a Universal scaler, any thick areas of calculus were removed with a calculus rongeur. All 42 teeth were scaled on all exposed surfaces and also under the gum line. The gingiva are then probed and recorded for any detachment. Then the teeth are polished with a hand held portable electric high speed polisher. Criteria for thoroughness are based on 1) a visual inspection that all calculus is removed on the enamel or tooth root, 2) a black light inspection which will glow approximately 80% of calculus pink, and 3) a tactile inspection feeling for “smooth” enamel surfaces or smoothing out root surfaces.
The following issues were found in the mouth:
There were several areas of gum recession and pockets. There were 3 missing upper incisors, and both upper carnassial teeth were fractured. One was superficial, the other had pulp exposure.
Specifically 110 (upper right molar 2) had gum recession. 108 (upper right premolar 4) had a fracture with pulp exposure. 402,401 and 301 and 302 have gingival recession with 6 mm pockets. 208 (upper left carnassial PM4) has an enamel fracture. 210 (upper left molar 2) has gum recession. 309 (lower left molar 1) has a 9mm pocket. There was also slight wearing and staining throughout. All other gingival depths probed less than 1mm deep.
There was a moderate amount of calculus on the teeth and mild amount of bleeding during the procedure.
The veterinarian talked to the owner pointing out the 9 mm pocket of 309 being the biggest concern. The veterinarian recommended that the owner talk to her vet who may recommend X rays and treatment for the diseased area. The owner was instructed how to keep the gum areas clean by brushing or wiping away of the pellica on a daily basis. The owner was extremely grateful that we had discovered these problems and now had the opportunity to take care of them.
The owner did see her veterinarian who did a visual exam and gave the dog a round of antibiotics and the owner was given CET to brush the dog’s teeth with daily. At two weeks the inflammation seemed improved. The owner was told to return in 2 months for a dental under anesthesia to see if the gums have healed. She was told that sometimes the tissue will heal.