80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the
age of two have periodontal disease.
Research done at Kansas State
University Medical School has shown a
relationship between periodontal disease and
heart, liver and kidney disease in dogs.
A National Companion Animal
Study of 39,566 dogs and 13,924 cats showed
that periodontal disease was by far the most
commonly diagnosed disease in all age
categories of both species.
Honey
is a female, young adult American Eskimo
(Spitz). Periodontal probes are used to
check the depth of pockets formed by
bacterial action on the oral tissue.
Bleeding was produced by gentle probing
above.
An x-ray of the area showed that periodontal
disease was responsible for destroying a
large portion of the bone surrounding
the roots of the first and second molars.
Treatment involved extraction of the second
molar which was severely mobile and beyond
saving. A gum flap was created to expose
the area of the affected bone surrounding
the first
molar. Advanced periodontal surgery and
bone grafting would be required to save this
tooth
Extensive cleaning and root treatments were
done. Placement of a synthetic bone glass
particulate (bioactive glass) was then done
to encourage bone to re-grow in the defect
and promote the synthesis of the attachment
apparatus (periodontal ligament).
This x-ray demonstrates the area after
bioactive glass placement.
Six
months following surgery, Honey has
retained this important tooth and has a very
healthy mouth. Honey has her teeth cleaned
in the hospital every 4-6 months to prevent
this and other areas from the ravages of
periodontal disease.
