canis - Articles
Teeth: caries
Synonym(s): Dental caries, decay
Introduction
- Organic decay of the dentine of a tooth following inorganic demineralization of enamel.
- Incidence: 40% - underdiagnosed because of difficulty of detection in conscious patient. Accounts for 10% of tooth loss.
- Cause: plaque Teeth: calculus.
- Signs: dysphagia, salivation, pain, behavioral changes.
- Diagnosis: visualization of cavities, radiography.
- Treatment: fill cavity with specialist dental materials +/- endodontic treatment or extraction.
- Prognosis: generally good - dependent on size and position of cavity and early treatment.
Presenting signs
- Dysphagia.
- Salivation.
- Oral pain.
Age predisposition
- 3-7 years.
- Most common in older animal.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Large breeds.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Chemicals released from bacteria (especiallyStreptococcus mutans Streptococcus spp ) in plaque accumulations.
Specific
- Malalignment of teeth causing plaque build-up.
- Fractures/damage to teeth exposing dentine.
- Exposed root structure (no enamel covering).
- Increased dietary refined carbohydrate level.
- Bad oral hygiene → accumulation of plaque.
- Food stagnation between teeth (uncommon, except posterior teeth).
- Congenitally defective enamel Teeth: enamel disease.
Pathophysiology
- Organic decay of the dentine of a tooth following inorganic demineralization of enamel.
- Poor oral hygiene → accumulation of food debris on teeth surface → microorganism colonization (bacterial plaque) → break down of refined carbohydrates, eg glucose, lactose → 'plaque acid' release → demineralization of enamel → exposed dentine → rapid organic decay = caries → pain.
- Pulp may be exposed → acute pain → pulpitis → pulp necrosis → periapical infection.
- Undermined enamel of teeth may fracture Dental fracture.
Timecourse
- Enamel demineralization is a slow process.
- Dentine decay is rapid.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Hale F A (1998) Dental caries in the dog. J Vet Dent 15 (2), 79-83 PubMed.