AVDC Veterinary Dentistry flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Triadan system

A tooth-numbering system that assigns each permanent tooth a three-digit code: first digit identifies the quadrant and the last two identify the tooth position from midline.

Permanent canine formula

Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: per side, three incisors, one canine, four premolars, and two maxillary or three mandibular molars.

Deciduous canine formula

Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth: per side, three incisors, one canine, and three premolars, with no deciduous molars present.

Attachment loss staging

Periodontal staging grades severity by attachment loss: Stage 1 has none, Stage 2 under 25 percent, Stage 3 is 25 to 50 percent, and Stage 4 exceeds 50 percent.

Bisecting-angle technique

An intraoral radiography method used for maxillary teeth in which the beam is angled perpendicular to the bisector of the tooth and film to reduce distortion.

Parallel technique

An intraoral radiography method for mandibular premolars and molars in which the film is placed parallel to the tooth and the beam directed perpendicular.

Inferior alveolar nerve block

A mandibular local anesthetic block deposited near the mandibular foramen that desensitizes ipsilateral mandibular teeth; the mandibular artery lies nearby and must be avoided.

Maxillary nerve block

A local anesthetic block near the maxillary foramen that desensitizes the entire ipsilateral maxillary quadrant, useful for extractions and oral surgery.

Intrinsic tooth staining

Pink or purple discoloration within dentin after trauma reflects pulp hemorrhage; persistent discoloration may indicate pulp necrosis requiring vitality assessment or treatment.

Feline tooth resorption

A common painful condition in cats in which odontoclasts resorb tooth structure, often producing defects at the gingival margin that may be covered by hyperplastic gingiva.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis

Severe persistent oral mucosal inflammation in cats, often involving the caudal oral cavity, managed with medical therapy and sometimes full-mouth or partial extractions.

Periodontal probing depth

The distance from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus or pocket, measured with a periodontal probe to detect attachment loss and guide treatment.

Oronasal fistula

An abnormal communication between the oral and nasal cavities, commonly at the maxillary canine site after extraction, causing sneezing and nasal discharge with eating.

Vital pulp therapy

Treatment of a recently fractured vital tooth by partial coronal pulpectomy, pulp capping, and restoration to preserve tooth function rather than extracting it.

Enamel hypoplasia

Defective enamel formation producing thin, pitted, or discolored enamel; affected teeth are weaker and more susceptible to wear, caries, and fracture.

Malocclusion classes

Skeletal and dental bite abnormalities classified as Class 1 normal jaw length, Class 2 mandibular distoclusion, and Class 3 mandibular mesioclusion with varying tooth alignment.

Equine dental formula

Adult horses have 36 to 42 teeth: per side three incisors, one canine, three or four premolars, and three molars, with canines often absent in mares.

Wolf tooth

The vestigial first premolar of horses, usually small and located rostral to the cheek teeth; it is often extracted when it interferes with the bit.

Hypsodont teeth

High-crowned teeth with long reserve crowns that erupt continuously throughout life, compensating for wear from abrasive forage and allowing age estimation.

Equine age estimation

Age is approximated from incisor eruption times, wear patterns, dental star appearance, and shape of the occlusal surface, though diet alters wear rates.

Dental star

A dark mark on the occlusal surface of equine incisors representing secondary dentin that fills the pulp chamber; it appears around eight to ten years.

Galvayne's groove

A longitudinal groove on the labial surface of the upper third incisor that appears near ten years and lengthens with age, used as a rough age indicator.

Sharp enamel points

Projections that form on the buccal edge of upper cheek teeth and lingual edge of lower cheek teeth because of uneven wear, causing oral ulceration.

Hooks and ramps

Overgrowths at the ends of the cheek tooth rows, with hooks rostrally on upper teeth and caudally on lower teeth, and ramps forming on opposing surfaces.

Wave mouth

An undulating occlusal surface of the cheek teeth with alternating high and low points, often resulting from uneven wear and abnormal chewing patterns.

Step mouth

A sudden change in occlusal height of the cheek tooth row, frequently caused by a missing or displaced tooth allowing the opposing tooth to overgrow.

Diastema

An abnormal gap between adjacent cheek teeth that traps feed and causes periodontal disease, often presenting as quidding, weight loss, and foul breath.

Odontoplasty

The procedure of reducing sharp enamel points and overgrowths with manual or power floats to restore a more even occlusal surface and relieve soft tissue trauma.

Equine sinusitis

Inflammation or infection of the paranasal sinuses, often secondary to periapical disease of maxillary cheek teeth, causing unilateral nasal discharge and facial swelling.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption

A painful disorder of older horses affecting incisors and canines, characterized by root resorption, hypercementosis, gingival recession, and bulbous tooth enlargement.

Quidding

The dropping of partially chewed feed from the mouth, a common sign of equine dental pain from sharp points, diastemata, or loose or infected teeth.

Equine dental speculum

A mouth gag used under sedation to hold the horse's jaws open, allowing safe visual and manual examination and treatment of the cheek teeth.