VN January 2023

Vetnews | January 2023 37 2. Periodontal probe extends between 3 – 5 mm below the gingival margin. The gingival margin can either be resected (gingivectomy) or repositioned (gingivomucosal repositioning flap) in order to create a tooth with the defect supragingival. Any deep pockets below the gingiva will harbour bacteria, increasing the risk of periodontitis and, ultimately, tooth loosening. Defects deeper than 5 mm can be problematic to solve, and a specialist should be consulted. 3. Complicated crown fractures or complicated crown root fractures. These are probably the most common types of fractures we see in private practice. Extraction is also the most common form of treatment in these cases. Care should be taken to remove all three of the roots of this tooth during extraction. Sectioning of the tooth into three one-rooted fragments works the best for this. Root canal treatment is another option that can be used. It is quite a complicated tooth to treat, and due to the forces expected of this tooth, placing a chrome-cobalt crown after the procedure is recommended (Fig. 7). v Veterinary Dentistry & Maxillofacial Surgery Referrals Veterinary Dentistry & Maxillofacial Clinic Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Clinic, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Old Soutpan Road (M35), Onderstepoort, South Africa Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Tel: +27 (0)12 529 8276, Fax: +27 (0) 12 529 8479, e-mail: sadent@mweb.co.za website: www.vetdentsa.co.za Facebook: Vetdent SA Figure 7. A chrome-cobalt crown placed on the right maxillary 4th premolar tooth of this dog after a root canal procedure and restoration. The crown is important to protect the remaining tooth below it. (Thank you to Dr. Jose Ruiz, allowing me to use his photograph of his case). Dental Column Ken Pettey: 082 882 7356, ken.pettey@gmail.com Aileen Pypers: 072 599 8737, aileen.vet@gmail.com Willem Schultheiss: 082 323 7019, willem.schultheiss@ceva.com Mike Lowry: 084 581 2624, mikelowry@sai.co.za The following SAVA members are available on the SAVA stress management hotline. The SAVA Stress Management Hotline 24-Hour, Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 21 21 21