FOREWORDVeterinary dentistry has exploded as a discipline within veterinary medicine over the past 20+ years,primarily due to the tireless efforts of those clinicians in the 1970s and early 1980s who took an oftenoverlooked area of the patient, and turned it into a focus of major significance. Thanks to thesepioneers in veterinary dentistry, many of us found our calling within veterinary medicine and providea valuable service to animals throughout the world. In the early days of veterinary dentistry, thosewho had a special interest in dentistry would gather together and discuss conditions and treatmentsthey had found to be particularly helpful or successful. Out of these meetings rose the organizationof the American Veterinary Dental Society and the Veterinary Dental Forum. The Veterinary DentalForum has grown to an annual meeting of nearly 1000 participants, a far cry from the early days ofgetting together around a cold beverage to talk about your most challenging/rewarding cases! Alsoblossoming out of the efforts of these pioneers has come the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, aquarterly publication that is currently recognized internationally as the journal of record for veterinarydentistry. All these efforts were to help educate veterinarians about veterinary dentistry and to elevatethe practice of veterinary medicine in general.Though many aspects of veterinary dentistry are continuously evolving, one constant is the clinicalpracticality of veterinary dentistry. This is reflected in the organization and thought processthroughout this book.
Dr. Niemiec does an excellent job presenting many dental conditions from avery practical standpoint. Beginning with the initial oral examination, through the diagnosticprocedures, such as dental radiography, Dr. Niemiec provides pragmatic tips along the way. Readingthis text is similar to the way practitioners think through diagnostic challenges within their ownpractices. From the early chapters that focus on the normal oral/dental anatomy through the oralexamination and diagnostics for all areas of the mouth, this text is a valuable reference for both thegeneral practitioner and the seasoned veterinary dentist.Those of us, like Dr. Niemiec, who have walked in the footsteps of those pioneers of the earlydays of veterinary dentistry, can only hope to carry on the tradition of educating others in our questto relieve unnecessary patient suffering.
This book is an excellent tribute to those practitioners.With gratitude and thanks,Michael Peak, DVM, DAVDCImmediate Past-President, American Veterinary Dental CollegePREFACEThis book is designed to be a quick reference for practitioners to identify the common oralpathologies in the dog and cat. All pathologies are demonstrated by typical photographic and, insome cases, radiographic examples. Along with the graphic examples is a concise but complete andcurrent description of the pathology. The description includes etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features,differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, and treatment/management. Each topic is then summarizedin easy-to-read key points. This format will make identification and initial therapy of oral diseasesmuch more efficient.The first three chapters set a foundation for assessing and diagnosing oral pathology.
Chapter oneis a review of oral anatomy and physiology. In the style of the book, this is supported with numerousfull color images. Chapter two presents a stepwise guide on how to perform a proper oralexamination. These techniques will allow practitioners to find the subtle pathologies listed withinthe book. Finally, dental radiology is presented. The first part of chapter three discusses propertechniques for obtaining quality dental radiographs, and the latter part discusses proper diagnosis ofdental radiographs with high-quality digital images.Following this introduction, the book is presented by anatomic areas, to ease identification ofunknown pathology. These areas include problems with the: te.