Dental anatomy (Proceedings)

It is very important that the veterinary technician know the normal anatomy of the canine and feline. Dental formulas for the primary and adult dentition must be known to correctly chart our patients.

Canine dental formulas =

• Deciduous - Maxilla – (3 incisors, 1 canine 3 premolars) x 2

o Mandible- (3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars) x 2

• Permanent – Maxilla - (3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, 2 molars) x 2

o Mandible- (3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, 3 molars) x 2

Feline dental formula =

• Deciduous – Maxilla – (3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars) x 2

o Mandible – (3 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars) x 2

• Permanent – Maxilla - (3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, 1 molar) x 2

o Mandible – (3 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, 1 molar) x 2

When charting a patient, it is important to know the visual difference between an adult tooth and a deciduous tooth. If a deciduous tooth is present a dental radiograph must be taken to see if an adult tooth is present.

When a tooth is charted as missing a dental radiograph must be taken to confirm that it is missing. There could be an un-erupted adult tooth or retained roots of a fractured tooth.

It is important to be able to recognize when a supernumerary tooth is present. Supernumerary teeth can cause crowding, but if there is plenty of room for it, it may not need extraction.

Abnormally shaped crowns need to be noted. Dilaceration is an abnormal tooth. The crown may have extra folds or lines. These teeth need to a dental radiograph. They are often non-vital and need to be extracted.

Remember that in the canine, the deciduous 3rd premolar looks like the adult 4th premolar and the deciduous 4th premolar looks like the adult 4th premolar. Om the mandible, the deciduous 4th premolar looks like the adult 1st molar. So if it looks like there are two adult lower 1st molars, chances are the first one is a persistent deciduous 4th premolar. An dental radiograph should be taken.

Knowing normal anatomy and being able to recognize abnormal anatomy will be a valuable asset to your practice.