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Periodontal disease, malocclusions, jaw fractures, oral cancer and tooth resorption — what each condition is and where it sits in the scope of veterinary dentistry.
The conditions addressed in veterinary dentistry form a short but serious list: jaw fractures, malocclusions of the teeth, oral cancer and periodontal disease. In everyday practice a fifth category, tooth resorption, is added for cats, where it is common and frequently hidden below the gumline.
Periodontal disease is by far the most frequently encountered. It begins as gingivitis — red, swollen gum edges — and progresses to loss of the periodontal ligament and supporting bone. Because it develops below the gumline, visible tartar is a poor indicator of its severity; probing depth and oral radiographs are the reliable measures.
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Malocclusions are a matter of structure. When the upper and lower teeth or jaws do not meet correctly, some animals manage fine, while others traumatize the palate or trap food with every bite. The clinical question is always whether function or comfort is affected.
Jaw fractures usually follow trauma: a road accident, a fall, or a hard bite on something unyielding. Repair is surgical. Oral cancer can begin as a lump, a non-healing ulcer, or a set of loose teeth without obvious gum disease, and confirmation typically requires a biopsy.
In cats, tooth resorption is the condition owners most often miss. The tooth structure is progressively broken down, the process is painful, and much of it happens below the visible crown. Oral radiographs are what reveal it, which is one concrete reason the specialty relies on imaging as a standard tool.
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