|
Dental
Disease and Eye Problems
Chronic
ocular problems secondary to primary oral pathology exists
in both the canine and feline. Any abnormality of the root
system of the maxillary premolars and molars can lead to ophthalmologic
difficulties. If there is a persistent ocular pathology that
your veterinarian cannot arrest, consult with an ophthalmology
specialist. Let the specialist review the case, the diagnostic
tests performed, and give their opinion. If the general practitioner
or the ophthalmologist finds no answer for the poor resolution
of the problem with primary ophthalmologic treatment, the
case should be seen by a veterinary dentist.
What
is difficult for the practitioner to realize is that a crown
of a tooth can appear quite health with a diseased root system
secondary to periodontal or endodontic disease.
These
pathologies of the periodontium or endodontic systems can
lead to periapical abscessation, root resorption, and bony
lysis in and around the affected tooth. Secondary sclerosing
osteomyelitis or sinusitis can then follow.
If there
is a slab fracture of the fourth premolar, this tooth should
be x-rayed immediately to see if root canal therapy or extraction
is indicated. If there is mobility of the first or second
molar in the maxilla, this should be a "red flag" to x-ray
immediately. Discolored teeth, pitted teeth, worn teeth (attrition),
and broken teeth all must be x-rayed and treated accordingly.
All of these problems can lead to insidious eye problems if
left unattended.
Persistent
chronic conjunctivitis can also occur when the bony space
that separates the apex of the maxillary premolars and molars
from the orbit is breached and destroyed by the same bacteria
that originally caused root apex osteolysis with periapical
abscessation.
To confirm
a primary dental etiology, general inhalation anesthesia with
a quality oral exam supplemented by probing and pocket depth
measurements is essential. This coupled with a detailed dental
x-ray examination will define any problem that is present.
There
are oral problems that need other radiology supplemental studies
to define. Dye tests as well as C-Scans are needed to evaluate
their patients. These are the rare cases. Most can be diagnosed
with standard dental x-ray. With the new digital dental x-rays
that are now available, the veterinarian or veterinary dentist
can utilize a computer to contrast gradients of bone or tooth
to make the diagnosis with clarity and expedition.
|
