Overview of Dental Development
- Dental Development
- Overview of Dental Development
- Estimation of Age by Examination of the Teeth
All domestic animals have a diphyodont dentition, ie, a deciduous and a permanent set of teeth. The morphology as well as the dental formula (see Table: Dental Formulas) of mammalian teeth, however, are variable and closely related to the animal’s alimentation.
Identification of teeth was formerly based on an anatomic system in which incisors were designated as I, canines as C, premolars as P, and molars as M. Veterinary dentists now most often use the modified Triadan system, which assigns a 3-digit number to a specific tooth. The animal’s head is divided into four quadrants, with the upper right quadrant labeled “1” and the remaining quadrants numbered in a counterclockwise direction. Numbers 1–4 are used to identify the quadrant for permanent teeth, and 5–8 are used for the temporary dentition. The second and third digits identify the specific tooth number; eg, in horses, the left lower second premolar is tooth “306” and the last molar on the right mandible is “411.”
Resources In This Article
- Dental Development
- Overview of Dental Development
- Estimation of Age by Examination of the Teeth
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
In all animals, malassimilation refers to an impaired ability of the gastrointestinal tract to provide nutrients to the body because of maldigestion or malabsorption. Maldigestion occurs when food cannot be properly broken down within the intestinal lumen. Malabsorption occurs when nutrients fail to pass from the intestinal lumen into the blood. Which of the following diseases is most likely to result in maldigestion?