Morphometric Assessment of Periodontal Tissues in Relation to Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Abstract

Dimensions of periodontal tissues are thought to predispose to the development of periodontal disease in man and dogs. Several studies have suggested that thin gingiva correlates with an increased incidence of periodontal disease. In this study, we hypothesized that the dimensions of periodontal tissues will vary in different breeds of dogs and could possibly correlate with the incidence of periodontal disease. Forty-two jaws of dogs aged up to 5-years were examined post-mortem and gingival and alveolar bone thickness were measured using methods of transgingival probing and digital calipers, respectively. Dogs were divided into three groups based on their body weight. Group I (< 5.0 kg; n=21), group II (5 to 10 kg; n=11), and group III (10 to 15 kg; n=10). Thickness of gingiva ranged from 0.30-mm to 3.2-mm and was relatively thinner in group I than in group II and III based on the means of ratios comparison. Alveolar bone thickness ranged from 0.27-mm to 4.1-mm and was relatively thinner in group I compared with groups II and III. Our study showed significantly thinner gingiva and alveolar bone in toy breed dogs compared with small and medium-sized breed dogs. Both gingival and alveolar bone dimensions may be predictors for severity of periodontal disease and influence clinical outcome in certain periodontal surgical procedures.

A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs

“…This general overcrowding results in more crevices in which dental plaque can accumulate (Niemiec 2012). Studies have also shown that the gingiva and alveolar bone is significantly thinner in toy breed dogs compared with small and medium-sized breed dogs and that thinner gingiva correlates with an increased incidence of periodontal disease (Kyllar et al 2013). Furthermore, the disease process may be exacerbated due to differences in jaw size with smaller dogs having less bone supporting the teeth resulting in more severe symptoms (Harvey 2005).…”

Diagnosis and Management of Furcation Lesions in Dogs – A Review

“…17 A comparative study of the dimensions of periodontal tissues and the incidence of periodontal disease found that dogs with thicker gingiva and alveolar bone had a lower incidence of periodontal disease. 34 The same study also found that small dogs had much thinner gingiva and alveolar bone and had a higher incidence of periodontitis. Similar morphometric relationships were found in human patients.…”

“…Similar morphometric relationships were found in human patients. 34 Dental crowding, which often occurs in brachycephalic breeds, creates plaque-retentive areas and predisposes teeth to attachment loss and periodontal disease. 5,35,36…”

Oronasal and Oroantral Fistulas Secondary to Periodontal Disease: A Retrospective Study Comparing the Prevalence Within Dachshunds and a Control Group

“…35 One study demonstrated that toy breed dogs showed significantly thinner attached gingiva and alveolar bone compared to small- and medium-sized breed dogs which corroborates with the high prevalence of periodontal disease in small breed dogs. 33 Although speculative, the palatal alveolar bone separating the maxillary dentition and the nasal cavity may be thinner in dachshunds compared to small breed dogs of similar age, weight and sex. An anatomical cross-sectional imaging study comparing palatal alveolar bone thickness between various dog breeds with a diversity of skull morphologies could confirm this suspicion.…”

“…It is recognized in both human and veterinary dentistry that thinner periodontal tissues may be a contributing factor for the development of periodontal disease. [32][33][34] Harvey et al identified that there was a relationship between the severity of periodontal disease (gingival inflammation, furcation exposure, mobility, and loss of attachment) and smaller body weight in a large, multicenter study. 35 One study demonstrated that toy breed dogs showed significantly thinner attached gingiva and alveolar bone compared to small-and medium-sized breed dogs which corroborates with the high prevalence of periodontal disease in small breed dogs.…”