Recommendations Adopted by the AVDC Board. Most recently updated November 2010
AVDC Nomenclature Committee
AVDC has adopted the following items as standard nomenclature for use in College documents.
Trainees submitting case reports for AVDC credentials review are required to use these terms.
Determining and adopting nomenclature is an on-going process. Additional items will be added to this list as they are approved by the Board.
The Board appreciates the efforts of the Nomenclature Committee in finding acceptable terms in an area that has been unclear and, at times, controversial.
About the images included on this page:
Copyright of the images is owned by AVDC. Download of the images and use in printed materials or presentations is permitted without charge provided that the source is cited as Copyright AVDC, used with permission. The Board gratefully acknowledges Veterinary Information Network (VIN) for developing and donating the tooth fracture and tooth resorption diagrams. The clinical images are provided by diplomates of AVDC.
To save a high-resolution version of an individual image for use in a presentation or a printed article, right-click on the image, click Save Picture As and follow the on-screen directions.
Topics Available in this Document
Oral and Dental Anatomy
Nomenclature of Specific Teeth
Surfaces of Teeth and Directions in the Mouth
Generations of Teeth in Diphyodont Species
Jaws, Salivary Glands and Lymph Nodes
Definition of Stage, Grade and Index
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Disease Classification
Furcation
Mobility
Periodontal Treatment
Dental Fracture Classification
Enamel Formation Abnormalities
Tooth Resorption
Classification by Stage
Classification by Type
Classification of Dental Occlusion in Dogs
Oropharyngeal Inflammation
Oral Masses
Nomenclature of Specific Teeth
The incisors will be referred to as: (right or left) (maxillary or mandibular) first, second, or third incisors numbered from the midline.Reference(s): Peyer B. Comparative odontology. 1st ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968;1-347. Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E, et al. Teeth, general and comparative. In: The viscera of domestic mammals. 1st ed. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey, 1973;75-99.
In the cat, the tooth immediately distal to the maxillary canine is the second premolar, the tooth immediately distal to the mandibular canine is the third premolar.
Reference(s): Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E, et al. Teeth, general and comparative. In: The viscera of domestic mammals. 1st ed. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey, 1973;75-99.
The existence of the conventional anatomical names of teeth as well as the various tooth numbering systems is recognized. The correct anatomical names of teeth are (right or left), (maxillary or mandibular), (first, second, third or fourth), (incisor, canine, premolar, molar), as applicable, written out in full or abbreviated. The modified Triadan system is presently considered to be the tooth numbering system of choice in veterinary dentistry; gaps are left in the numbering sequence where there are missing teeth (for example, the first premolar encountered in the feline left maxilla is numbered 206, not 205. The two lower right premolars are 407 and 408, not 405 and 406).
Both the use of anatomical names and the modified Triadan system are acceptable for recording and storing veterinary dental information. The use of anatomical names in publications is required by many leading journals and is recommended. It offers the advantage of veterinary dental publications being understandable to other health professionals and scientists with an interest in veterinary dentistry.
Reference(s): Floyd MR. The modified Triadan system: nomenclature for veterinary dentistry. J Vet Dent 1991; 8:18-19.
Comment(s): In January 1972, the International Dental Federation adopted a new, two digit, user friendly nomenclature system for use in the human dental patient. This new system eliminated the plus and minus signs of the Haderup System and the brackets of the Winkel System. Following the acceptance of the new system for human dental nomenclature, Professor DrMedDent H. Triadan, a dentist at the University of Bern, Switzerland, introduced a similar system for animals. Due to the fact that many animals, including his canine model, have more than nine teeth in a quadrant, the Triadan system for animals utilizes three digits instead of two digits.
Surfaces of Teeth and Directions in the Mouth
Vestibular/Buccal/Labial
Vestibular is the correct term referring to the surface of the tooth facing the vestibule or lips; buccal and labial are acceptable alternatives.
Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994.
Comment(s): The term "facial" specifically refers to the surfaces of the rostral teeth visible from the front. According to Dr. A.J. Bezuidenhout, a veterinary anatomist at Cornell University, "facial" is a bit of a misnomer. Traditionally "facial" has been used in human dentistry for the aspect of teeth visible from the front, i.e. incisors and canines.
Lingual/Palatal
Lingual: The surface of a mandibular or maxillary tooth facing the tongue is the lingual surface. Palatal can also be used when referring to the lingual surface of maxillary teeth.Mesial/Distal
Mesial and distal are terms applicable to tooth surfaces. The mesial surface of the first incisor is next to the median plane; on other teeth it is directed toward the first incisor. The distal surface is opposite from the mesial surface.Rostral/Caudal
Rostral and caudal are the positional and directional anatomical terms applicable to the head in a sagittal plane in non-human vertebrates.
Rostral refers to a structure closer to, or a direction toward the most forward structure of the head. Caudal refers to a structure closer to, or a direction toward the tail.
Anterior and posterior are the synonymous terms used in human dentistry.
Generations of Teeth in Diphyodont Species
Deciduous and permanent are the anatomically correct terms to denote the two generations of teeth in diphyodont species. It is acceptable to use "primary" instead of deciduous in communicating with clients.
Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994.
Boucher CO, Zwemer TJ. Boucher's clinical dental terminology - a glossary of accepted terms in all disciplines of dentistry. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1993.
Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
Comments: Deciduous is the scientific term used in biology, as well as in comparative anatomy and anthropology for both animal and plant structures which are regularly shed. As a substitute for temporary, the term primary appeared early in the literature and it is listed in both Anthony's and Otofy's dictionaries 1922-23. The style of the Journal of the ADA requires the term deciduous in all literature designed for the profession and allows primary only in discourse for non-professional persons.
The deciduous dentition period is that period during which only deciduous teeth are present. The mixed dentition period is that period during which both deciduous and permanent teeth are present. The permanent dentition period is that period during which only permanent teeth are present.
Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994.
Boucher CO, Zwemer TJ. Boucher's clinical dental terminology - a glossary of accepted terms in all disciplines of dentistry. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1993.
Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
The term "persistent deciduous tooth" is etymologically correct, although the term "retained deciduous tooth" is commonly used. The latter term, however, can be confused with an unerupted deciduous tooth.
Reference(s): Eisenmenger E, Zetner K. Tierv§rztliche Zahnheilkunde. 1st ed. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey, 1982;44-50.
Jaws, Salivary Glands and Lymph Nodes
Jaws
All mammals have two maxillas (or maxillae) and two mandibles. The adjective "maxillary" is often used in a wider sense, e.g., "maxillary fractures", to include other facial bones, in addition to the maxillary bone proper.
Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994.
Evans HE. The skull. In: Evans HE, ed. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1993;128-166.
Hildebrand M. Analysis of vertebrate structure. 4th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.
Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E, et al. Teeth, general and comparative. In: The viscera of domestic mammals. 1st ed. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey, 1973;75-99.
Verstraete FJM. Maxillofacial fractures. In: Slatter DH, ed. Textbook of small animal surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 2003;2190-2207.
Comprehensive List of Clinically Relevant Terms Related to the Mandible and Temporomandibular Joint:
NAV term |
Anglicized version |
Comments |
| Mandibula | Mandible | All animals have two mandibles, not one -- removing one entire mandible therefore is a mandibulectomy not a hemimandibulectomy |
| Corpus mandibulae | Body of the mandible | The part that carries the teeth - often incorrectly referred to as horizontal ramus |
| Pars incisiva | Incisive part | The part that carries the incisors |
| Pars molaris | Molar part | The part that carries the premolars and molars premolar-molar part would probably have been more accurate |
| Margo alveolaris | Alveolar margin | Often incorrectly referred to as alveolar crest |
| Margo ventralis | Ventral margin | |
| Canalis mandibulae | Mandibular canal | Contains only the neurovascular bundle often incorrectly referred to as the medullary cavity of the mandible |
| Foramina mentalia | Mental foramens or foramina | Rostral, middle or caudal mental foramina in the dog and cat |
| Ramus mandibulae | Ramus of the mandible | The part that carries the 3 processes often incorrectly referred to as the vertical ramus |
| Processus angularis / angulus mandibulae | Angular process / angle of the mandible | |
| Processus coronoideus | Coronoid process | |
| Processus condylaris | Condylar process | Often incorrectly referred to as condyloid process |
| Caput mandibulae | Mandibular notch | The notch on the caudal aspect, between the coronoid and condylar processes - not to be confused with the facial vascular notch |
| Incisura vasorum facialium | Facial vascular notch | Shallow indentation on the ventral apsect of the mandible, rostral to the angular process - poorly defined in carnivores |
| Foramen mandibulae | Mandibular foramen | The entrance to the mandibular canal |
| Articulatio intermandibularis | Intermandibular joint | |
| Discus articularis | Articular disk | Often incorrectly referred to as meniscus |
| Articulatio intermandibularis | Intermandibular joint | |
| Synchondrosis intermandibularis | Mandibular symphysis | Scapino RP. The third joint of the canine jaw. Journal of Morphology 1965;116:23-50. |
| Collum mandibulae | Neck of the mandible | The narrow part of the condylar process supporting the head |
Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994. Scapino RP. The third joint of the canine jaw. J Morphol 1965;116:23-50.
Incisive Bones:
In domestic animals, the correct name for the paired bones that carry the maxillary incisors, located rostral to the maxillary bones, is the incisive bones, not the premaxilla.Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994.
Mandibular Salivary Gland and Lymph Node:
Domestic animals have a mandibular gland (or mandibular salivary gland) and a mandibular lymph node. The term "submandibular," as used in humans, is incorrect due the difference in topography of these structures.Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994. Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
Fauces:
The fauces are defined as the lateral walls of the oropharynx that are located medial to the palatoglossal folds. The areas lateral to the palatoglossal fold, commonly involved in feline stomatitis, are not the fauces.Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994. Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
Hard Palate:
The midline of the hard palate is not a symphysis but is formed by the interincisive suture, the median palatine suture of the palatine processes of the maxillary bones, and the median suture of the palatine bones.Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994. Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
Juga surrounding teeth:
The alveolar jugum (plural alveolar juga) is the palpable convexity of the buccal alveolar bone overlying a large tooth root.Reference(s): Anonymous. Nomina anatomica veterinaria. 4th ed. Zurich and Ithaca: World Association of Veterinary Anatomists, 1994. Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1993.
Definitions of Stage, Grade and Index
Stage: The assessment of the extent of pathological lesions in the course of a disease that is likely to be progressive. E.g., stages of periodontal disease, staging of oral tumors, etc.
Grade: The quantitative assessment of the degree of severity of a disease or abnormal condition at the time of diagnosis, irrespective of whether the disease is progressive e.g., a grade 2 mast cell tumor (based on mitotic figures)
Index: A quantitative expression of predefined diagnostic criteria whereby the presence and/or severity of pathological conditions are recorded by assessing a numerical value e.g., gingival index, plaque index, etc.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Disease Classification
The degree of severity of periodontal disease relates to a single tooth; a patient may have teeth that have different stages of periodontal disease.
Normal (PD 0): Clinically normal - no gingival inflammation or periodontitis clinically evident.
Stage 1 (PD 1): Gingivitis only without attachment loss. The height and architecture of the alveolar margin are normal.
Stage 2 (PD 2): Early periodontitis - less than 25% of attachment loss or at most, there is a stage 1 furcation involvement in multirooted teeth. There are early radiologic signs of periodontitis. The loss of periodontal attachment is less than 25% as measured either by probing of the clinical attachment level, or radiographic determination of the distance of the alveolar margin from the cemento-enamel junction relative to the length of the root.
Stage 3 (PD 3): Moderate periodontitis - 25-50% of attachment loss as measured either by probing of the clinical attachment level, radiographic determination of the distance of the alveolar margin from the cemento-enamel junction relative to the length of the root, or there is a stage 2 furcation involvement in multirooted teeth.
Stage 4 (PD 4): Advanced periodontitis - more than 50% of attachment loss as measured either by probing of the clinical attachment level, or radiographic determination of the distance of the alveolar margin from the cemento-enamel junction relative to the length of the root, or there is a stage 3 furcation involvement in multirooted teeth.
Reference: Wolf HF, Rateitschak EM, Rateitschak KH et al. Color atlas of dental medicine: periodontology, 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag, 2005.
Furcation Involvement/Exposure
Stage 1 (F1, furcation involvement) exists when a periodontal probe extends less than half way under the crown in any direction of a multirooted tooth with attachment loss.
Stage 2 (F2, furcation involvement) exists when a periodontal probe extends greater than half way under the crown of a multirooted tooth with attachment loss but not through and through.
Stage 3 (F3, furcation exposure) exists when a periodontal probe extends under the crown of a multirooted tooth, through and through from one side of the furcation out the other.
Stage 0 (M0) Physiologic mobility up to 0.2 mm.
Stage 1 (M1) The mobility is increased in any direction other than axial over a distance of more than 0.2 mm and up to 0.5 mm.
Stage 2 (M2) The mobility is increased in any direction other than axial over a distance of more than 0.5 mm and up to 1.0 mm.
Stage 3 (M3) The mobility is increased in any direction than axial over a distance exceeding 1.0 mm or any axial movement.
Dental Fracture Classification
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Enamel infraction (EI): An incomplete fracture (crack) of the enamel without loss of tooth substance. Example:
Enamel fracture (EF): A fracture with loss of crown substance confined to the enamel. Example:
Uncomplicated crown fracture (UCF): A fracture of the crown1 that does not expose the pulp. Example:
Complicated crown fracture (CCF): A fracture of the crown1 that exposes the pulp. Example:
Uncomplicated crown-root fracture (UCRF): A fracture of the crown and root that does not expose the pulp. Example:
Complicated crown-root fracture (CCRF): A fracture of the crown and root that exposes the pulp. Example:
Root fracture (RF): A fracture involving the root. Example:
Copyright of these images is owned by AVDC. Download of the images and use in printed materials or presentations is permitted without charge provided that the source is cited as Copyright AVDC, used with permission. The Board gratefully acknowledges Veterinary Information Network (VIN) for developing and donating the tooth fracture and tooth resorption diagrams. The clinical images are provided by diplomates of AVDC.
To save a high-resolution version of an individual image for use in a presentation or a printed article, right-click on the image, click Save Picture As and follow the on-screen directions.
When used in AVDC case log entries, the tooth fracture abbreviations noted above are to be stated as T/FX/{specific abbreviation} e.g T/FX/CCF
This tooth fracture classification can be applied for brachydont and hypsodont teeth, which covers domesticated species and many wild species. Fractures of teeth in some wild species may not fit into this classification because of differences in the tissues present in the teeth.
For brachydont teeth, the following definitions of crown, crown-root and root apply:
Crown: Enamel and dentin
Crown-root: Enamel, dentin and cementum
Root: Dentin and cementum
For most hypsodont teeth, the following definitions of crown, crown-root and root apply:
Crown: Clinical crown
Crown-root: Clinical crown and reserve crown
Root: Reserve crown and/or root
Abnormalities of Enamel Formation
Amelogenesis imperfecta includes genetic and/or developmental enamel formation and maturation abnormalities such as enamel hypoplasia and enamel hypomineralization:
Enamel hypoplasia refers to inadequate deposition of enamel matrix. This can affect one or several teeth and may be focal or multifocal. The crowns of affected teeth can have areas of normal enamel next to areas of hypoplastic or missing enamel.
Enamel hypomineralization refers to inadequate mineralization of enamel matrix. This often affects several or all teeth. The crowns of affected teeth are covered by soft enamel that may be worn rapidly.
Enamel hypoplasia Enamel hypomineralization
Classification of Tooth Resorption
Tooth resorption is classified based on the severity of the resorption (Stages 1-5) and on the location of the resorption (Types 1-3)
| Stage 1 (TR 1): Mild dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel). |  |
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| Stage 2 (TR 2): Moderate dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel with loss of dentin that does not extend to the pulp cavity). |  |
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| Stage 3 (TR 3): Deep dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel with loss of dentin that extends to the pulp cavity); most of the tooth retains its integrity. |  |
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Stage 4 (TR 4): Extensive dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel with loss of dentin that extends to the pulp cavity); most of the tooth has lost its integrity.
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Stage 4 (TR 4): Extensive dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel with loss of dentin that extends to the pulp cavity); most of the tooth has lost its integrity. TR4b Crown is more severely affected than the root; |
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Stage 4 (TR 4): Extensive dental hard tissue loss (cementum or cementum and enamel with loss of dentin that extends to the pulp cavity); most of the tooth has lost its integrity. TR4c Root is more severely affected than the crown. |
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| Stage 5 (TR 5): Remnants of dental hard tissue are visible only as irregular radiopacities, and gingival covering is complete. |  |
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The AVDC classification of tooth resorption is based on the assumption that tooth resorption is a progressive condition.
To save a high-resolution version of an individual image, right-click on the image, click Save Picture As and follow the on-screen directions.
For low resolution printer-friendly versions of the full sets of tooth resorption images, click TR Diagrams or TR Clinical Images.
Types of Resorption, Based on Radiographic Appearance
On a radiograph of a tooth with type 1 (T1) appearance, a focal or multifocal radiolucency is present in the tooth with otherwise normal radiopacity and normal periodontal ligament space.
On a radiograph of a tooth with type 2 (T2) appearance, there is narrowing or disappearance of the periodontal ligament space in at least some areas and decreased radiopacity of part of the tooth.
On a radiograph of a tooth with type 3 (T3) appearance, features of both type 1 and type 2 are present in the same tooth. A tooth with this appearance has areas of normal and narrow or lost periodontal ligament space, and there is focal or multifocal radiolucency in the tooth and decreased radiopacity in other areas of the tooth.
Abbreviations: A tooth with a Stage 4b lesion that has a type 2 radiographic appearance would be abbreviated TR-S4b-T2
Radiographic Examples of Types of Tooth Resorption:
Copyright of these images is owned by AVDC. Download of these images and use in printed materials or presentations is permitted without charge provided that the source is cited as Copyright AVDC, used with permission. The diagrams are provided courtesy of Veterinary Information Network. The clinical images are provided by diplomates of AVDC.
Classification of Dental Occlusion in Dogs
An ideal occlusion can be described as perfect interdigitation of the upper and lower teeth. In the dog, the ideal tooth positions in the arches are defined by the occlusal, inter-arch and interdental relationships of the teeth of the archetypal dog (i.e. wolf). This ideal relationship with the mouth closed can be defined by the following:The maxillary incisor teeth are all positioned rostral to the corresponding mandibular incisor teeth. The crown cusps of the mandibular incisor teeth contact the cingulum of the maxillary incisor teeth. The mandibular canine tooth is inclined labially and bisects the interproximal (interdental) space between the opposing maxillary third incisor tooth and canine tooth. The maxillary premolar teeth do not contact the mandibular premolar teeth. The crown cusps of the mandibular premolar teeth are positioned lingual to the arch of the maxillary premolar teeth. The crown cusps of the mandibular premolar teeth bisect the interproximal (interdental) spaces rostral to the corresponding maxillary premolar teeth. The mesial crown cusp of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth is positioned lateral to the space between the mandibular fourth premolar tooth and the mandibular first molar tooth.
Normal occlusion in a dog:
A malocclusion is any deviation from normal occlusion described above. Malocclusion may be due to abnormal positioning of a tooth or teeth (dental malocclusion) or due to asymmetry or other deviation of bones which support the dentition (skeletal malocclusion).
Terms of malocclusion:
Neutroclusion (Class 1 malocclusion; MAL/1): A normal rostral-caudal relationship of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches with malposition of one or more individual teeth.
Mandibular distoclusion (Class 2 malocclusion; MAL/2): An abnormal rostral-caudal relationship between the dental arches in which the mandibular arch occludes caudal to its normal position relative to the maxillary arch. Example:
Mandibular mesioclusion (Class 3 malocclusion; MAL/3): An abnormal rostral-caudal relationship between the dental arches in which the mandibular arch occludes rostral to its normal position relative to the maxillary arch. Example:
Dental malocclusions
Distoversion (DV) describes a tooth that is in its anatomically correct position in the dental arch but which is abnormally angled in a distal direction.
Mesioversion (MV) describes a tooth that is in its anatomically correct position in the dental arch but which is abnormally angled in a mesial direction.
Linguoversion (LV) describes a tooth that is in its anatomically correct position in the dental arch but which is abnormally angled in a lingual direction.
Labioversion (LABV) describes an incisor or canine tooth that is in its anatomically correct position in the dental arch but which is abnormally angled in a labial direction.
Buccoversion (BV) describes a premolar or molar tooth that is in its anatomically correct position in the dental arch but which is abnormally angled in a buccal direction.
Crossbite (XB) describes a malocclusion in which a mandibular tooth or teeth have a more buccal or labial position than the antagonist maxillary tooth. It can be classified as rostral or caudal.
In rostral crossbite (RXB, similar to anterior crossbite in human terminology) one or more of the mandibular incisor teeth is labial to the opposing maxillary incisor teeth when the mouth is closed.
In caudal crossbite (CXB, similar to posterior crossbite in human terminology) one or more of the mandibular cheek teeth is buccal to the opposing maxillary cheek teeth when the mouth is closed.
Skeletal malocclusions:
Symmetrical skeletal malocclusion is defined in Terms of Malocclusion (Classes 1-3) at the top of this section.
Asymmetrical Skeletal Malocclusion:
Maxillary-mandibular asymmetry describes skeletal malocclusions that can occur in a rostro-caudal, side-to side, or dorso-ventral direction.
Maxillary-mandibular asymmetry in a rostro-caudal direction occurs when mandibular mesioclusion or distoclusion is present on one side of the face while the contralateral side retains normal dental alignment.
Maxillary-mandibular asymmetry in a side-to-side direction occurs when there is loss of the midline alignment of the maxilla and mandible.
Maxillary-mandibular asymmetry in a dorso-ventral direction results in an open bite (OB), which is defined as an abnormal vertical space between opposing dental arches when the mouth is closed.
The expression "wry bite" is a layman term that has been used to describe a wide variety of unilateral occlusal abnormalities. Because "wry bite" is non-specific, its use is not recommended.
AVDC Abbreviations for malocclusions in dogs:
The diagnosis for a patient with malocclusion can be abbreviated as:
MAL ( malocclusion)/1 or 2 or 3 (= malocclusion class designation)/specific malocclusion abbreviation and tooth or teeth number(s).
Example: MAL/1/RXB202 for a dog with class 1 occlusion and a rostral crossbite of the second incisor.
If multiple teeth have the same malocclusion, include the tooth numbers with a comma in between e.g. MAL/1/RXB202,302.
Oral and oropharyngeal Inflammation
Oral and oropharyngeal inflammation is classified by location as:
Gingivitis: inflammation of gingiva
Periodontitis: inflammation of non-gingival periodontal tissues (i.e., the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone)
Alveolar mucositis: inflammation of alveolar mucosa (i.e., mucosa overlying the alveolar process and extending from the mucogingival junction without obvious demarcation to the vestibular sulcus and to the floor of the mouth)
Sublingual mucositis: inflammation of mucosa on the floor of the mouth
Labial/buccal mucositis: inflammation of lip/cheek mucosa
Caudal mucositis: inflammation of mucosa of the caudal oral cavity, bordered medially by the palatoglossal folds and fauces, dorsally by the hard and soft palate, and rostrally by alveolar and buccal mucosa
Contact mucositis and contact mucosal ulceration: lesions in susceptible individuals that are secondary to mucosal contact with a tooth surface bearing the responsible irritant, allergen, or antigen. They have also been called “contact ulcers” and “kissing ulcers”.
Palatitis: inflammation of mucosa covering the hard and/or soft palate
Glossitis: inflammation of mucosa of the dorsal and/or ventral tongue surface
Cheilitis: inflammation of the lip (including the mucocutaneous junction area and skin of the lip)
Osteomyelitis: inflammation of the bone and bone marrow
Stomatitis: inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth; in clinical use the term should be reserved to describe wide-spread oral inflammation (beyond gingivitis and periodontitis) that may also extend into submucosal tissues (e.g., marked caudal mucositis extending into submucosal tissues may be termed caudal stomatitis)
Tonsillitis: inflammation of the palatine tonsil
Pharyngitis: inflammation of the pharynx
Examples of the Appearance of Various Regional Oral Inflammatory Diseases.
A definitive diagnosis of inflammation often cannot be made based on physical examination findings alone.
The term “epulis” (plural = “epulides”) is a general term referring to a gingival mass lesion of any type. Examples of epulides include: focal fibrous hyperplasia, peripheral odotogenic fibroma, acanthomatous ameloblastoma, non-odontogenic tumors, pyogenic granulomas and reactive exostosis.
The AVDC Nomenclature Committee is working with human oral pathologists, veterinary pathologists and veterinary oncologists to develop a set of names for specific tumor types that will be acceptable for standard use in veterinary dental patients.