This retrospective study aimed to investigate the incidence and potential consequences of retained deciduous tooth root remnants in canine patients who were presented at a referral clinic between 2013 and 2023. Among the 5432 medical records reviewed, 237 retained root remnants of deciduous teeth were identified radiographically in 143 patients. The identified root remnants were most commonly associated with the left (604) (39.2%) and right (504) (33.7%) deciduous maxillary canine teeth. The areas surrounding the retained root remnants were evaluated for radiographic changes. Direct problems associated with deciduous root remnants were observed in 117 dogs (81.8%). The most common finding was periapical radiolucency in 63 dogs (44.1%), and root resorption and ankylosis in 54 dogs (37.8%). Additional abnormalities included dental malocclusion, which affected the corresponding permanent dentition. Yorkshire Terriers were overrepresented, comprising 41.2% of the affected patients. This study emphasizes that retained deciduous root remnants do not undergo resorption and may develop clinical complications. Additionally, the importance of routine full-mouth radiography in dogs has been highlighted for the identification of such abnormalities.

Periodontal disease results from bacterial biofilm formation on teeth and surrounding tissues, being highly prevalent in adult dogs. Given bacterial resistance, natural and innovative alternatives are sought for treatment of periodontal disease. In this context, the flavonoid quercetin shows promise due to its antimicrobial and soft tissue regenerative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of oral bacteria strains to quercetin, develop a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel and polymeric film containing the flavonoid, and perform physicochemical characterization, residence time analysis, and in vitro release of the formulations. Microbiological assays demonstrated quercetin's effectiveness against sensitive and resistant strains. The pH of the formulations was maintained between 6.5 and 7.5, ensuring biocompatibility during application. The hydrogel and film content were 98.2% and 97%, respectively, with residence times exceeding 5 h. The hydrogel exhibited zero-order kinetics, while the polymeric film showed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Morphological analyses revealed pores in the films with quercetin, and structural analyses showed no alteration in quercetin's structure. The results indicate that the developed formulations have innovative prophylactic potential for canine periodontal disease.

Oronasal fistula formation, associated with maxillary canine teeth, is a frequent sequela to untreated periodontal disease, and extraction has traditionally been regarded as the primary treatment. A 10-year-old spayed female miniature Dachshund was presented with an oronasal fistula involving the left maxillary canine tooth. After initial non-surgical management with minimally invasive non-surgical technique (MINST) failed to resolve the periodontal pocket and fistula, microscope-assisted periodontal regenerative therapy combined with an Er:YAG laser was performed. The treatment achieved complete closure of the fistula together with reduction of the periodontal pocket. Cone beam computed tomography at 8 months post-surgery confirmed new bone formation. This case demonstrates that the integration of microsurgical visualization and Er:YAG laser therapy can enable preservation of maxillary canine teeth with oronasal fistula, providing a minimally invasive alternative to extraction.

Periodontal disease is the most prevalent oral condition in companion animals, affecting over 80% of dogs and cats by three years of age. Despite its high incidence and systemic health implications, it is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in veterinary practice. This review addresses the pathophysiology, diagnostic tools, and provides evidence-based strategies for prevention and management of periodontal disease in dogs and cats. The review explores the anatomy and physiology of the periodontium and details the mechanisms of disease progression, particularly the role of bacterial biofilm and host immune response. A focus is placed on the RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling pathway, which governs osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, a hallmark of advanced periodontitis. Risk factors such as age, diet consistency, and breed size are examined in relation to disease susceptibility. Current best practices in prevention, including daily tooth brushing, dental chews, antiseptic rinses, barrier sealants, and mechanical debridement, are reviewed alongside emerging therapies such as ozone treatment and regenerative procedures using platelet-rich fibrin, synthetic bone grafts and hyaluronic acid.

This study evaluated the accuracy, consistency, and clinical appropriateness of responses generated by large language models (LLMs) to frequently asked questions (FAQs) in veterinary dentistry client communication. Six common FAQs were identified based on guidance from the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) and submitted under standardized conditions to multiple LLMs, including ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Flash, Claude Sonnet 4.5, Perplexity, Qwen3-Max, and DeepSeek. Artificial intelligence (AI) generated responses were compared with expert-reviewed reference answers prepared by 2 veterinarians with academic and clinical experience in small animal dentistry. Responses were independently evaluated by 2 expert and 2 novice assessors across 4 domains: main idea coverage, information quality, consistency with expert content, and presence of inconsistencies using a 3-point Likert scale (Yes, Neutral, No). Inter-rater agreement between expert evaluators was assessed using Cohen's kappa, and between-model comparisons were performed using McNemar's exact test after dichotomization of ratings. Inter-rater agreement was substantial (κ = 0.68). ChatGPT-5 showed the highest alignment with expert-reviewed reference content, followed by Claude Sonnet 4.5. Differences between expert and novice evaluations were most evident for questions related to anesthesia safety and anesthesia-free dental procedures. Clinically relevant inaccuracies were identified across several models, particularly regarding the requirement for general anesthesia with a protected airway. No statistically significant differences were detected between primary model comparisons (P = 1.00). These findings indicate that LLMs may support client education in veterinary dentistry but require expert oversight to ensure clinical accuracy and patient safety.

Diagnosis of canine periodontal disease relies on clinical and radiographic evaluation including the simplified bisecting angle (SBA) technique. However, difficulty in visualizing the alveolar bone margin and misinterpreting its distance from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) diminishes its usefulness. The objective of the study was to compare a new radiographic view, the modified interproximal (MIP) technique, to the SBA technique for the detection of bony defects and furcation involvement in a canine experimental model of periodontal disease of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth (PM4). The authors hypothesized that the MIP technique would detect milder bony defects and furcation exposure compared to the SBA technique. Eleven large breed dog cadavers with mesaticephalic or dolichocephalic skull conformation and without periodontal disease were used. Dental radiography with SBA and MIP techniques was acquired prior to and after creating a horizontal pattern of bony defects, centered on PM4 in 12.5% increments, from 0% to 50% bone loss. The level of the bone margin and furcation exposure was evaluated. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was substantial. Observers systematically underestimated the distance between the CEJ and the bone margin with both radiographic techniques. MIP technique performed better overall than SBA technique (accuracy and sensitivity were significantly improved). These results show that MIP technique is more accurate than SBA in the evaluation of mild bony defects and furcation lesions associated with PM4. Adding a MIP view of PM4 to the canine full-mouth survey may improve detection of bone loss and furcation involvement.

Blood glucose (BG) monitoring is an essential component of perioperative patient management under general anesthesia. This study demonstrates that BG levels obtained from oral surgical extraction sites are statistically comparable to samples obtained from the venous and ear pinna sites. Utilizing the oral surgical extraction site for BG measurement offers a practical alternative, thereby reducing the need for frequent venipuncture or ear pinna capillary puncture. In this study, 51 patients (38 canines and 13 felines) had BG measurements obtained from their oral surgical extraction sites, peripheral venous sites and ear pinnae resulting in 153 total samples. The analysis revealed there was no statistically significant difference in BG measurements between sampling sites. This study showed that oral surgical extraction sites provide a viable and accessible alternative for BG monitoring in feline and canine patients.

The aim of this study was to determine if an intraoral resin splint that is secured to the mandible with cerclage wires, a cerclage intraoral resin splint (CIRS), is a viable, minimally invasive option for mandibular body fracture repair in dogs. A medical record search identified 16 dogs with fractures as a result of periodontal disease, endodontic disease, head trauma, or a combination of these causes, and CIRS was performed in partially or completely edentulous areas of the mid or caudal mandibular body. At the time of appliance removal, the fracture sites of 13 dogs had healed with a bony union. Two dogs showed a fibrous union, and 1 dog revealed a nonunion. This study demonstrated that CIRS is a minimally invasive treatment option for repair of mid and caudal mandibular body fractures in dogs, even among patients with severe bone loss secondary to periodontal disease.

In equine husbandry, oral cavity procedures are commonly performed and may be associated with complications, including extraoral diseases, potentially resulting from bacterial contamination and inadequate antisepsis. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is a major issue for healthcare professionals, including veterinarians that may misuse these pharmaceuticals. Therefore, developing novel methods for antisepsis is desirable. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a 100 µg/ml ozonized injectable water solution versus 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Fifty adult equines had swab samples collected from their oral cavities, to make cultures and isolate the main microorganisms present. Half of the animals then had their mouths washed with 0.12% chlorhexidine and the other half were treated with the 100 µg/ml ozonized solution mouthwash. Following these treatments, another swab sample was obtained from each animal, and the culture repeated. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) and the number of times a microbe genus was present were counted. The genera isolated were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas, as well as yeast cells. The first 3 were the most prevalent, present in over 70% of the animals. The authors concluded that in healthy horses, a single mouth rinse with a 100 µg/ml ozonized solution was less effective than 0.12% chlorhexidine for reducing CFU count and presence. This study confirmed the known efficacy of chlorhexidine and its superiority to ozonized water. It also highlighted the importance of performing procedures antiseptically.

Apical periodontitis (AP) is commonly encountered in dogs. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has emerged as the preferred imaging modality for identification and monitoring of AP in the human endodontic community. This study compared intraoral radiographs (IOR) and CBCT for identifying periapical lucency (PAL) (as a proxy for AP) of the maxillary fourth premolar teeth in dogs. All dogs had IOR and CBCT performed under general anesthesia. Imaging was evaluated retrospectively and compared. PAL was identified more frequently with CBCT, and results were statistically significant. No other statistically significant relationships were identified. This study shows that CBCT is superior to IOR in identification of PAL of the maxillary fourth premolar teeth in dogs.