The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats outline a comprehensive approach to support companion animal practices in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline patients. The guidelines are an update of the 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. A photographically illustrated, 12-step protocol describes the essential steps in an oral health assessment, dental cleaning, and periodontal therapy. Recommendations are given for general anesthesia, pain management, facilities, and equipment necessary for safe and effective delivery of care. To promote the wellbeing of dogs and cats through decreasing the adverse effects and pain of periodontal disease, these guidelines emphasize the critical role of client education and effective, preventive oral healthcare.

Structure Summary Objective Although not previously reported, experience suggests that dentoalveolar injury (DAI) is common among patients with maxillofacial (MF) fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate and describe the prevalence and nature of DAIs in patients identified with MF fractures. Methods Medical records of 43 dogs and cats diagnosed with MF fractures between 2005–2012 were reviewed to identify patients with concurrent DAI. Medical records of patients with DAI were abstracted for the following information: signalment (including sex, age, and skull type), mechanism of MF trauma, location and number of MF fractures, DAI type and location and the number of DAI per patient. Statistical evaluation was performed to determine associations between signalment; mechanism of trauma; location and number of MF fractures; and the prevalence and nature of concurrent DAI. Results Dentoalveolar injuries are common among patients with MF trauma. Age and mechanism of trauma are significant predictors of the presence of DAI in patients with MF trauma. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance The findings of this study serve to encourage veterinarians to fully assess the oral cavity in patients with MF fractures as DAI are common and can be predicted by age and mechanism of trauma.

Summary It is widely accepted that the convergence angle of a full veneer crown preparation should be as close to parallel as possible to attain adequate retention/resistance. The shape of the dog’s canine tooth limits the veterinary dentists’ ability to achieve the recommended convergence angle. However, the clinically achievable convergence angle of the canine tooth in dogs has not been evaluated. In addition, the convergence angle and other physical properties of a preparation, such as height and base diameter, have been shown to affect the retention/resistance of full veneer crowns, in vitro. This effect has not been evaluated clinically in the dog. Physical properties of 32 stone dies from full veneer crowns of canine teeth were studied to evaluate the clinically achievable convergence angle and the potential effect physical properties of the preparation had on the clinical outcome of the restoration. The clinically achievable convergence angle was much higher than the current recommendation. There was an association, albeit not statistically significant, between physical properties of a preparation (convergence angle, height, base diameter) and the clinical outcome of the restoration.

Open-mouth jaw locking in the cat has traditionally been minimally evaluated with diagnostic imaging. Multiple methods have been described for surgical management of this problem. This report describes the use of computed tomography to diagnose open-mouth jaw locking in 2 cats secondary to ventrolateral displacement of the coronoid process in relation to the zygomatic arch. In these 2 cases, a previously unreported surgical approach whereby the coronoid was not reduced before partial coronoidectomy was used with successful outcomes.