Canine Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Periodontal disease is the most common disease diagnosed in dogs, affecting approximately 80% of dogs over 2 years of age. This inflammatory condition of the supporting structures of the teeth (the periodontium) progresses from reversible gingivitis to irreversible periodontitis if left untreated. Understanding the pathophysiology, staging, diagnosis, and treatment is essential for the NAVLE.
Periodontal disease is significantly underdiagnosed in primary care. Visual assessment of conscious dogs reveals diagnosis rates of only 9-18%, while examinations under anesthesia show prevalence of 44-100%. This diagnostic gap highlights the silent progression of periodontal disease.
Canine Dental Anatomy
Dental Formula
Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars. The dental formula is 2(I3/I3, C1/C1, P4/P4, M2/M3).
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