Vetnuus | May 2025 41 Regulars I Dental Column Secondary clefts affecting the soft palate only can be divided into unilateral clefts (A) or bilateral clefts (B). Interceptive orthodontics This condition is commonly seen in dogs. When the occlusion of the dog is not normal (Fig. 3A), canines (especially) may occlude onto the soft tissue of the palate or alveolar margin (Fig. 3B, C). In this case, we call the malocclusion a traumatic malocclusion. In order to alleviate the trauma, we can remove the deciduous teeth causing the trauma. This will then leave the jaws to develop unhindered and the dog will be pain-free. Since the mandible is narrower than the maxilla, this is commonly seen in dogs with mandibular brachygnathia (mandible too short). Depending on the extent of this defect in the mandible, the canine teeth may penetrate the alveolar margins of the maxilla between the 3rd incisor tooth, onto the palate or the alveolar margin caudal to the maxillary canine tooth. In these cases, extraction of the mandibular canine teeth is indicated. Sometimes one side is causing trauma and the opposite side is not. Regardless of this, if you decide to extract the mandibular canine teeth you should do both. This trauma to the jaw should be done bilateral similarly to prevent any future growth abnormalities. Care should also be exercised not to damage the developing permanent canine tooth which lies medio-ventral to the deciduous canine tooth. Touching the developing canine tooth with an elevator may damage the epithelium which is busy with enamel deposition and maturation. A brown discolouration of the permanent canine tooth enamel may be visible or a significant defect may be present. Constant radiographic guidance is advisable. Lastly, we also do a lateral alveolectomy to create a weak area in which the developing canine tooth will hopefully have space to move more lateral. Malocclusion of the mandibular deciduous canine teeth (A) may lead to traumatic malocclusion where the mandibular deciduous canine teeth can penetrate the palatal mucosa (B) or the gingiva of the alveolar margin (C). v Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery Referrals Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Clinic, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Clinic, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Old Soutpan Road (M35), Onderstepoort, South Africa 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 3 A Figure 3 B Figure 3 C Email: assistant@sava.co.za ADVERTISE IN VETNEWS MAGAZINE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTc5MDU=