Could My Dog or Cat Have Periodontal Disease?
 

Teeth are anchored in periodontal tissues consisting of gingiva (gums), ligaments, cementum, and supporting bone. More than 85% of dogs and cats older than 4 years have periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease starts with the formation of plaque, a transparent adhesive fluid composed of bacteria. Plaque starts forming within eight hours after a thorough dental cleaning. When plaque is not removed, mineral salts in the saliva precipitate forming hard calculus. Calculus is irritating to gingival tissue. By-products of the bacteria "eat away" the tooth's support structures eventually causing pain and periodontal disease.

There are two grading systems commonly used to classify the degree of periodontal disease. Mobility index evaluates tooth movement within the socket. With Class I mobility, the tooth only moves slightly. Class II describes tooth movement less than the distance of a crown width. Class III mobility occurs when there is movement greater than a crown width. Class III reflects severe periodontal disease in which the teeth have lost more than 50% of their support and usually need extraction.

Periodontal disease can also be graded from stages one to four. The first two stages are classified as gingivitis the last two as periodontitis. In stage one, plaque extends to the gum line causing inflammation of the gingiva. Stage two gingivitis, is marked by inflammation and swelling. Gingivitis can usually be reversed by thorough teeth cleaning by a veterinarian while the dog or cat is anesthetized. If treated early, the gums can return to normal appearance and function. If untreated, periodontitis can result. Stage three periodontal disease occurs when there is bone loss in addition to gingival inflammation and infection. In stage four periodontal disease, there is a progression of the bone loss usually creating tooth mobility.

Once bone loss from periodontal disease has occurred, therapy more involved than routine cleaning is needed. What factors should the pet owner or breeder consider before periodontal surgery? A cooperative patient, a treatable tooth, and choice of which periodontal procedure to use. The owner of a dog or cat with periodontal disease needs to be committed to save their animal's teeth. This commitment includes daily brushing to remove plaque, which begins to build within eight hours after the previous brushing. Frequent veterinary dental re-examinations are required, and expense should be considered. The patient must also be a willing partner. If a dog or cat will not allow home care the best dental surgeon and most caring owner will not make a difference. Unless there is strong owner commitment and patient compliance, it is wiser to extract a tooth rather than letting the pet suffer.

Choosing appropriate teeth to operate upon is equally important. Every dental procedure by a veterinarian should include probing and charting.

Intraoral x-rays supply important information when deciding which tooth will benefit from surgery. X-rays help evaluate supportive bone around the teeth. As a general rule, if there is greater than 50% bone loss around a tooth, only advanced surgical procedures may provide long term success. X-rays are also examined for other pathology that should be treated prior to and may affect the outcome of periodontal care.

Then the appropriate type of periodontal surgery is chosen.

Dr. Jan Bellows is a board-certified veterinary dentist. His office, All Pets Dental Clinic, is located at 9111 Taft Street in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He can be reached for consultations at 954-432-1111.