Dental instruments

i canis

Contributor(s):

Synonym(s): Instruments required for performing small animal dentistry

Oral examination

Essential to chart clinical findings during oral examination to serve as a record and assist in treatment planning.
Require graduated periodontal probe and a dental explorer for thorough examination of teeth and supporting oral tissues.
Measure graduations on periodontal probe for accurate recording - some graduations = 2mm; some = 3mm.
Use periodontal probe to circumscribe gingival sulcus surrounding tooth measuring depth at least at four sites:
- Mesio-buccal.
- Disto-buccal.
- Mesio-palatal/lingual.
- Disto-palatal/lingual.
In the dog normal sulcus depth should not exceed:
- 3 mm in a large dog.
- Less in a small dog.
In the cat:
- 1 mm.
Depths beyond these measurements are considered pockets (or pseudo-pockets in the case of gingival hyperplasia overgrowth).
Also use periodontal probe to measure extent of gingival hyperplasia overgrowth and gingival and bony recession.
Explore discolored areas of tooth surface using the sharp dental explorer.
- Stained tooth surfaces will be hard and explorer will not penetrate them.
- Caries lesions are soft and cause a mild "tug" effect when instrument is drawn out of lesion.
Use dental mirror to observe/view distal aspects of teeth and to direct light into poorly visible areas.