Peer reviewed
DENTAL DIAGNOSIS
Case of the Missing TooTh
Brook A. Niemiec, DVM, FAVD, Diplomate AVDC
Question
1
During a routine visit, it
is discovered that the
patient—a pug—is missing
a mandibular first premolar
(Figure 1); there is no
swelling or discharge in the
area. Based on the physical
examination findings,
what are your differential
diagnoses and thoughts
on further diagnostics and
treatment?
Turn to page 79 for a list of
differentials, associated therapies,
and further diagnostic measures.
Brook A. Niemiec, DVM,
FAVD, Diplomate AVDC, is
chief of staff of Southern
California Veterinary Dental
Specialties. He is the author of
Small Animal Dental, Oral and
Maxillofacial Disease: A Colour
Handbook (Manson Publishing)
and Veterinary Periodontology (Wiley Blackwell).
He founded the veterinary dental telemedicine
website vetdentalrad.com, lectures at national and
international conferences, and is the coordinator and
instructor of the San Diego Veterinary Dental Training
Center (vetdentaltraining.com). He received his DVM
from University of California–Davis.
Read the following articles by Dr. Brook
Niemiec at todaysveterinarypractice.
com:
• TheImportanceofDental
Radiography(November/December
2011)
• DentalExtractions:FiveStepsto
ImproveClientEducation,Surgical
Procedures,&PatientCare; (May/
June 2012)
• IntrotoOralNeoplasiainDogs&
Cats(July/August 2012)
May/June 2013 Today's Veterinary Practice
77