ANSWERS

1. What are the 2 main parts of a tooth? What substance coats each?
   • Crown - this is coated in enamel and is normally exposed and located above the gingival margin.
     NB Enamel is the hardest substance of the body.
   • Root - this is coated in cement and is normally embedded in the periodontal tissues below the gingival margin.
2. What is the name of the acellular membrane which covers the enamel surface of the tooth?
   The pellicle.
3. What is the name of the junction where the enamel tooth covering is replaced by cement which coats the root and attaches the periodontal ligament to the tooth?
   The cementoenamel junction.
4. What is the name of the substance beneath the enamel and cement which forms the main bulk of the tooth?
   Dentine.
5. What is the name of the central core of the tooth?
   The pulp chamber. This contains the pulp which consists of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics in a matrix of mesenchymal tissue.
6. What is the name of the socket where the tooth root is deeply seated within the gum?
   The alveolar socket.
7. What are deciduous teeth?
   Temporary or "baby" teeth.
8. How many incisors do adult dogs and cats possess?
   6 on each jaw; 12 in total.
9. List 4 functions of the incisors.
   • Cutting.
   • Nibbling.
   • Grooming.
   • Biting.
10. What is the name of the largest single rooted teeth lying caudal to the incisors?
    Canines.
11. What is the function of the canines?
    Tearing and holding.
12. How many canines do adult dogs and cats possess?
    2 on each jaw, 4 in total.
13. What is the relationship between the incisors and canines known as?
    Dental interlock.
14. List 3 functions of the premolars.
    • Shearing.
    • Cutting.
    • Holding.
15. What is the name given to the teeth that are the upper 4th premolar and lower 1st molar in dogs, and the upper 3rd premolar and lower 1st molar in cats?
    Carnassial teeth.
16. What is the main function of the carnassial teeth?
    Cutting.
17. What is the name of the most caudal teeth whose function is that of chewing and grinding?
    Molars.
18. Explain how the dentition of cats and dogs is directly related to their natural diet.
    • Dogs are omnivorous and therefore possesses teeth with grinding molar surfaces in order to cope with the omnivorous aspects of the diet.
    • Cats are carnivorous and therefore feline dentition lacks grinding surfaces which are unnecessary in an exclusively carnivorous diet.
19. How many teeth do puppies and kittens possess?
    • Puppies - 28.
    • Kittens - 26.
20. How many teeth do adult dogs and cats possess?
    • Dogs - 42.
    • Cats - 30.
21. At what age do the deciduous teeth begin to erupt in puppies and kittens?
    2-4 Weeks of age.
22. At what age do the roots of the deciduous teeth resorb, the crowns fall out and the permanent teeth erupt?
    From 3 months onwards.
23. What are the first deciduous teeth to be replaced?
    The incisors.
24. State the dental formula of a puppy.
    2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/3) = 28
25. State the dental formula of a kitten.
    2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/2) = 26
26. State the dental formula of an adult dog.
    2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 4/4 M 2/3) = 42
27. State the dental formula of an adult cat.
    2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/2 M 1/1) = 30
28. Explain the following terms: rostral/mesial, caudal/distal, lingual, palatal, labial, buccal and occlusal.
    • Rostral/mesial - towards the front of the mouth.
    • Caudal/distal - towards the back of the mouth.
    • Lingual - side of the tooth nearest the tongue.
    • Palatal - side of the tooth nearest the palate.
    • Labial - side of the tooth nearest the lip.
    • Buccal - side of the tooth nearest the cheek.
    • Occlusal - relating to the biting surface of a tooth.
29. Define the following terms: gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease.
    • Gingivitis - inflammation of the gums.
    • Stomatitis - inflammation of the mouth.
    • Periodontal disease - disease of the tissues and structures which surround the teeth.
30. What is the difference between dental calculus and dental plaque?
    Dental calculus is a stone-like concretion of minerals on the teeth, whilst plaque is a film-like deposit on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is a mixture of saliva, food particles and bacteria.
31. What is the term used to describe abnormal positioning and relationship between the teeth?
    Malocclusion.
32. Rabbit teeth are described as "open rooted"; what is meant by this?
    Open rooted teeth are found in rabbits and many herbivorous rodents. They continue to grow throughout life and may require trimming back at regular intervals.
33. State the dental formula of a rabbit.
    2033.
    1023.
34. An owner visits the surgery with a new puppy. List 6 measures that you would advise in order to ensure healthy teeth and gums.
    • Feed a suitable diet; biscuits can help to prevent a build up of plaque.
    • Provide toys which assist with the prevention of plaque build-up (e.g. Dental Kong).
    • Get the puppy used to oral examination at an early age.
    • Suggest regular teeth cleaning with a soft brush or finger brush and a proprietary pet toothpaste (human toothpaste is dangerous to pets).
    • Avoid sugary treats and recommend instead biscuits such as Pedigree Rasks or a handful of Hills T/D (treats should be allowed for in the daily food ration to avoid obesity).
    • Suggest regular dental checks at the surgery.