p.1

Count On this Dentistry Basics
Sandy Gregory M Ed, RVT, CCRA

p.2

WHY
Every animal has a mouth (not every one will have teeth)
Whether you work in laboratory medicine, zoo, or general practice,
you do have to know dentistry and you WILL use it

p.3

You Can Know So Much
Vet techs are the ones doing the cleaning, tooth extractions, nerve blocks, and client education
NAVTA has a VTS in Dentistry
Large component of the VTNE
Veterinarians don’t get as much schooling

p.4

Understand Teeth
Understanding how to identify
the location and the anatomy
is the best place to start

p.5

Question?
What Is The Most Common Health Problem

p.6

Studies have shown that more than 80% of dogs have some stage of periodontal disease by the age of 3
80PLUS BY 3

p.7

Dental Disease
It is the most common disease
1. Causes discomfort to the teeth and mouth
2. Unchecked it can affect the kidneys, heart, and/or liver function
3. Signs may go unnoticed or even dismissed

p.8

Problems
Dogs have more alkaline mouth than humans
Plaque formation increased

p.9

Veterinary Oral Health Council
VOHC - makes no certifications or warranties.
They state that when products are used properly, and meet their standards - the product is effective in retarding plaque and tartar.
VETERINARY ORAL HEALTH COUNCIL VOHC Accepted
Finding the most effective route to good oral health for your dog or ca.

p.10

Brushing
BEST Treatment for ALL stages of periodontal disease
Plaque will multiply without brushing
What about kibble, treats, bones-don’t they work?

p.11

Teeth ID
Incisors -I- means to cut
Canines -C- for tearing food
Premolars -P- grinds food
Molars -M- for crushing
Note Carnasial teeth Upper 4th P and lower 1st M

p.12

Incisors
C
Premolars
Molars
Incisors
Canine
Premolars
p1
p2
p3
p4
Molars
m1
m2
m3
Lower Camassal
Upper Teeth
Incisors
Canine
Premolars
Molars
Lower Teeth
Molars
Premolars
Canine
Incisors

p.13

Dental Formulas
Dog Cat
I = 3/3 I = 3/3
C = 1/1 C = 1/1
PM = 4/4 PM = 3/2
M = 3/2 M = 1/1
Total 42 teeth for an adult
Total 30 teeth
2X (3/3 I, 1/1 C, 4/4 PM, 2/3 M) = 42
2X (3/3 I, 1/1 C, 3/2 PM, 1/1 M) = 30

p.14

INCISORS = 3/3
There are 3 upper incisors on both sides of the upper jaw (6 total upper incisors), and 3 lower incisors on both sides of the lower jaw (6 total lower incisors). This equals 12 incisors total.

CANINES = 1/1
There is 1 upper canine on both sides of the upper jaw (2 total upper canines), and 1 lower canine on both sides of the lower jaw (2 total lower canines). This equals 4 canines total.

p.15

PREMOLARS = 4/4
There are 4 upper premolars on both sides of the upper jaw (8 total upper premolars), and 4 lower premolars on both sides of the lower jaw (8 total lower premolars). This equals 16 total.
MOLARS = 3/2
There are 3 upper molars on both sides of the upper jaw (6 total upper premolars), and 2 lower molars on both sides of the lower jaw (4 total lower molars). This equals 10 total.
Therefore, 12 + 4 + 16 + 10 = 42 total teeth for the adult dog.

p.16

Vet Tech Prep
DENTAL FORMULAS
INFOGRAPHIC
Dental Formulas
Animal Incisors Canines Premolars Molars Total
DOG I-3/3 C-1/1 P-4/4 M-2/3 =21*2=42
CAT I-3/3 C-1/1 P-3/2 M-1/1 =15*2=30
PIG I-3/3 C-1/1 P-4/4 M-3/3 =22*2=44
SHEEP I-0/4 C-0/0 P-3/3 M-3/3 =16*2=32
BOVINE I-0/4 C-0/0 P-3/3 M-3/3 =16*2=32
HORSE I-3/3 C-1/1 P-3or4/3 M-3/3 =20(or 21)*2=40(or 42)
FERRET I-3/3 C-1/1 P-3/3 M-1/2 =17*2=34

p.17

Review Teeth

p.18

Come To Terms
Maxilla - upper jaw
Mandible - lower jaw
Coronal - direction towards the crown of the tooth
Apical - direction towards the root tip of the tooth

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Buccal - surface towards the cheek
Labial - direction towards the lips
Lingual - surface towards the tongue

Lingual
Buccal
Labial

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Palatal - surface towards the soft palate
Occlusal - chewing surface

p.21

Review Terms

p.22

Distal - surface toward the back of the tooth, direction towards the last tooth.The direction that is away from the center line. (For incisors, the distal surface faces away from the center)
Mesial - surface towards the rostral end, or the front of the mouth. Incisor is Closest to the midline

p.23

Rostral - surface towards the front of the tooth, direction towards the front of the head(rostral to the nostral)
Furcation - the space between two roots where they meet the crown

p.24

Supragingival - part of the surface of the tooth that is not surrounded by the gingiva
Subgingival - beneath the gumlines

p.25

Numbering Teeth Anatomic
Uppercase letters, permanent teeth
Lowercase letters, deciduous teeth (primary)
Superscript: Maxillary teeth
Subscript: Mandibular teeth
Tooth numbering on left or right denote left or right side of the mouth

p.26

Example
P4 = P for the premolar – it is on the upper right quadrant and it is the 4th premolar
Also called the ................

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M1= M for molar – it is on the lower right quadrant and it is the first molar.
Also called the carnasial tooth

p.28

Multiple
The number of tooth from its own group of teeth, numbered from distal midline toP 2,3,4 = are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th upper right premolars

p.29

Advantages and Disadvantages
Anatomic - difficult to chart on the computer, not used much
Triadan - easy to write, can be easily assigned to any animal and most commonly used

p.30

Nomenclature

Right upper
Incisors
I1,101 I2,102 I3,103
Canine
C1,104
Premolars
P1,105 P2,106 P3,107 P4,108
Molars
M1,109 M2,110

Left upper
Incisors
I1,201 I2,202 I3,203
Canine
C1,204
Premolars
P1,205 P2,206 P3,207 P4,208
Molars
M1,209 M2,210

Right Lower
Incisors
I1,401 I2,402 I3,403
Canine
C1,404
Premolars
P1,405 P2,406 P3,407 P4,408
Molars
M1,409 M2,410 M3,411

Left Lower
Incisors
I1,301 I2,302 I3,303
Canine
C1,304
Premolars
P1,305 P2,306 P3,307 P4,308
Molars
M1,309 M2,310 M3,311

Right upper
Incisors
I1,101 I2,102 I3,103
Canine
C1,104
Premolars
P2,106 P3,107 P4,108
Molars
M1,109

Left upper
Incisors
I1,201 I2,202 I3,203
Canine
C1,204
Premolars
P2,206 P3,207 P4,208
Molars
M1,209

Right lower
Incisors
I1,401 I2,402 I3,403
Canine
C1,404
Premolars
P3,407 P4,408
Molars
M1,409

Left lower
Incisors
I1,301 I2,302 I3,303
Canine
C1,304
Premolars
P3,307 P4,308
Molars
M1,309
Brown: Lavin's Radiography for Veterinary Technicians
Copyright © 2014, 2007, 2003, 1999, 1994 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

p.31

Quadrants
Upper Jaw
Right Upper Permanent 1
Left Upper Permanent 2
Right Upper Deciduous 5
Left Upper Deciduous 6
Right Lower Permanent 4
Right Lower Deciduous 8
Left Lower Permanent 3
Left Lower Deciduous 7
Lower Jaw

p.32

4 Quadrants

p.33

Triadan System
Uses the quadrants with 3 digit numbers
First number indicates the quadrant in which the tooth is found
Permanent teeth begin with the number 1(right maxilla), 2 (left maxilla), 3 (left mandible) and 4 (right mandible)
Deciduous teeth begin with the numbers 5,6,7 and 8

p.34

Quadrants
Upper Jaw
Right Upper permanent 1
Right Upper Deciduous 5
Left Upper Permanent 2
Left Upper Deciduous 6
Right Lower Permanent 4
Right Lower Deciduous 8
Left Lower Permanent 3
Left Lower Deciduous7
Lower Jaw

p.35

Dental Formula For Dogs
Permanent Teeth:
2X (3/3 I, 1/1 C, 4/4 PM, 2/3 M) = 42

p.36

Triadan Cont.
The second and third numbers refer to the specific tooth in each quadrant, always beginning from the midline of the mouth toward the rear of the mouth
Q___ T____ T____

p.37

More
Cats are missing teeth105, 205,
305, 306, 405 and 406
Rule of 4 and 9 =
1. Canine tooth is always_04
2. 1st Molar will always end in
a _09

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104

p.39

204

p.40

304

p.41

404

p.42

What Is This?

p.43

Incisor Number?

p.44

Keep Counting

p.45

Same For Cats

p.46

Last Tooth/First Molar

p.47

Quadrant 3 and First Premolar

p.48

Tooth _ _ _

p.49

Keep Counting

p.50

Which teeth are these?

p.51

Dental Formula For Cats
Permanent Teeth:
2X (3/3 I, 1/1 C, 3/2 PM, 1/1 M) = 30
Cats are missing teeth :
105 , 205, 305, 306, 405 and 406

p.52

Different With Cats

p.53

Right Upper
Incisors 101,102,103
Canine 104
Premolars 106,107,108
Molar 109
Left Upper
Incisors 201,202,203
Canine 204
Premolars 206,207,208
Molar 209
Right Lower
Incisors 401,402,403
Canine 404
Premolars 407,408
Molar 409
Left Lower
Incisors 301,302,303
Canine 304
Premolars 307,308
Molar 309

p.54

Nomenclature
Right upper
Incisors I1,101 I2,102 I3,103
Canine C1,104
Premolars P1,105 P2,106 P3,107 P4,108
Molars M1,109 M2,110
Left upper
Incisors I1,201 I2,202 I3,203
Canine C1,204
Premolars P1,205 P2,206 P3,207 P4,208
Molars M1,209 M2,210
Right lower
Incisors I1,401 I2,402 I3,403
Canine C1,404
Premolars P1,405 P2,406 P3,407 P4,408
Molars M1,409 M2,410 M3,411
Left lower
Incisors I1,301 I2,302 I3,303
Canine C1,304
Premolars P1,305 P2,306 P3,307 P4,308
Molars M1,309 M2,310 M3,311
Right upper
Incisors I1,101 I2,102 I3,103
Canine C1,104
Premolars P2,106 P3,107 P4,108
Molars M1,109
Left upper
Incisors I1,201 I2,202 I3,203
Canine C1,204
Premolars P2,206 P3,207 P4,208
Molars M1,209
Rigth lower
Incisors I1,401 I2,402 I3,403
Canine C1,404
Premolars P3,407 P4,408
Molars M1,409
Left lower
Incisors I1,301 I2,302 I3,303
Canine C1,304
Premolars P3,307 P4,308
Molars M1,309
Brown: Lavin's Radiography for Veterinary Technicians
Copyright © 2014, 2007, 2003, 1999, 1994 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

p.55

Triadan Tooth Numbers Canine and Feline Dentition
Permancent RIGHT LEFT
Deciduous RIGHT LEFT
Maxillary 100+ 200+ 500+ 600+
Mandibular 400+ 300+ 800+ 700+
In the tables below, for permanent teeth, I=incisor, C= canine, P =premolar, and M = molar. For deciduous teeth, i = incisor, c= canine and p = premolar.
* = tooth not normally prescnt.
RIGHT Permanent Teeth - Dog - Maxillary Teeth LEFT
M2 M1 P4 P3 P2 P1 C I3 I2 I1 I1 I2 I3 C P1 P2 P3 P4 M1 M2
110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210
411 410 409 408 407 406 405 4040 403 402 401 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311
M3 M2 M1 P4 P3 P2 P1 C I3 I2 I1 I1 I2 I3 C P1 P2 P3 P4 M1 M2 M3
RIGHT Mandibular Teeth LEFT
RIGHT Deciduous Teeth - Dog - Maxillary Teeth LEFT
p4 p3 p2 * c i3 i2 i1 i1 i2 i3 c * p2 p3 p4
508 507 506 * 504 503 502 501 601 602 603 604 * 606 607 608
808 807 806 * 804 803 802 801 701 702 703 704 * 706 707 708
p4 p3 p2 * c i3 i2 i1 i1 i2 i3 c * p2 p3 p4
RIGHT Permanent Teeth - Cat - Maxillary Teeth LEFT
M1 P4 P3 P2 * C I3 I2 I1 I1 I2 I3 C * P2 P3 P4 M1
109 108 107 106 * 104 103 102 101 201 202 203 204 * 206 207 208 209
409 408 407 * * 404 403 402 401 301 302 303 304 * * 307 308 309
M1 P4 P3 * * C I3 I2 I1 I1 I2 I3 C * * P3 P4 M1
RIGHT Mandibular Teeth LEFT
RIGHT Deciduous Teeth - Cat - Maxillary Teeth LEFT
p4 p3 p2 * c i3 i2 i1 i1 i2 i3 c * p2 p3 p4
508 507 506 * 504 503 502 501 601 602 603 604 * 606 607 608
808 807 * * 804 803 802 801 701 702 703 704 * * 707 708
p4 p3 * * c i3 i2 i1 i1 i2 i3 c * * p3 p4
RIGHT Mandibular Teeth LEFT
Tables provided by AVDC based on Floyd, M: The Modified Triadan System in J Vet Dent, 8, 4, 19-20, 1991

p.56

Image

p.57

Canine Permanent
MAXILLA
One tooth with one root (105 and 205)
Two teeth with two roots (106, 107 and 206, 207)
Three teeth with three roots
(108, 109, 110 and 208, 209, 210)
Incisors C Premolars Molars

p.58

Canine Permanent
One root for first tooth and number 11
(305, 311 and 405, 411)
All other roots - two roots
MANDIBLE
Incisors
Canine
Premolars
Molars

p.59

Permanent Roots
Permanent Roots
Canine
Incisors
Canine
First premolar
Premolars
Molars
One root
Two roots
Three roots
Incisors
Canine
One root
Premolars
Molars
Two roots
One root
Feline
Incisors
Canine
Second premolar
Third premolar
Two roots
Fourth Premolar
Three roots
First molar
One to three roots
Incisors
Canine
One root
Third premolar
Fouth premolar
First molar
Two roots
Brown: Lavin's Radiography for Veterinary Technicians
Copyright 204, 2007, 1999, 1994 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

p.60

Tooth Anatomy
4 tissues
A.3 hard tissues
1.Enamel
2.Cementum
3.Dentin
B.One soft tissue
1.Pulp

p.61

Healthy Tooth
Enamel - hardest mineralized tissue in the whole body
1. Enamel covers the dentin of the crown
2. Very durable
3. Cannot repair itself so if it is lost, it is BAD

p.62

Dentin
Dentin - majority of tooth structure
1.Contains tubules in several layers
2.Hard as bone but softer than enamel
3.Repairs itself
4.Provides insulation and shock absorption for pulp
5.Has sensation - touch, cold, Pressure and pain

p.63

Healthy Tooth
Root - portion below gingiva (gums)
Cementum - covers the dentin of the root surface
where the periodontal ligament is attached
Cemento-enamel junction - where the enamel of the crown meets the cementum at the root

p.64

Apex
Alveolar bone
Periodontal ligament
Cementum
Cementoenamel junction
Dentin
Gingiva
Sulcus
Pilp Cavity
Enamel
Apical
Root
Crown
Cornonal

p.65

Pulp
Layer inside the pulp cavity of the tooth
Has the live tissue, blood supply, lymphatic tissue, nerve tissue and tother connective tissue
Nerves provide the sensory input that transmits pain (feel pain)
Gets nourishment from the apical delta

p.66

Gingival sulcus is the space between the gingiva and the tooth
Gingival margin - ridge of the gingiva around the tooth
Alvelor bone forms the socket for the tooth itself
Periodontal ligament has collagen fibers that attach the teeth to the alveolar bone

p.67

Apex
Alveolar bone
Periodontal ligament
Cementum
Cementoenamel junction
Dentin
Gingiva
Sulcus
Pilp Cavity
Enamel
Apical
Root
Crown
Cornonal

p.68

Apical delta - little openings that vessels and nerves go into the tooth.
Found at the root tip of each tooth
Periodontium - all the tissues supporting the teeth such as the gingiva, alveloar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament

p.69

Final Note
Knowing what is normal helps you to identify what is abnormal
Knowing even the basics can help with doing an oral exam
No matter what animal it is, look on all surfaces of the teeth, make good charting notations and be thorough whenever you possibly can

p.70

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/review/dentistry/basics/triadan/dog.html
http://oralatp.com/index.php?p=2
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/dentalanat.html
https://www.avdc.org/Triadan_Tooth_Numbering_System.pdf