Johnathon R. Dodd, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC

An oronasal fistula is a communication between the oral and nasal cavities that can be a result of periodontal disease, iatrogenic fracture of palatal bone during extraction or traumatic avulsion of a canine tooth.

With periodontal disease being one of the most prevalent diseases in pets, the opportunity to provide optimum oral health for patients is a practical goal for most veterinarians. By applying basic knowledge of the anatomy and progression of periodontal disease and the structures it effects, a systematic therapeutic plan can be formulated to halt and even reverse the disease process.

Oral and dental lesions are common in most animals. Clinical oral pathology is concerned with the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, changes in structure and function, causes, progression and prognosis of oral lesions.