Figure 3.11 Dental Stopping (gutta percha) is useful for canals of large diameter. Heating softens them, while a cold glass slab or alcohol hardens them.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.12 60‐ and 90‐mm Lentulo paste filler. The instrument can be loaded from a spatula full of sealant. Instrument will break if stressed (needs at least a size 25 canal.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.13 For pulp canals size 90 or greater, for efficiency, we favor GuttaFlow 2, followed by a Master Apical Gutta Percha point.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.14 GuttaFlow 2 can be delivered via a 20‐gauge catheter, but an 18‐gauge or even a 14‐gauge make delivery easier, providing the root canal is wide enough to accommodate them.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.15 System B heat and touch system expedites melting or severing gutta percha that protrudes from the pulp canal.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.16 Cordless light cure is handy in the field. Keep it in its recharger when not in use, to ensure its functionality.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.17 Lindemann bone‐cutting burs have an HP shank, fit a slow speed handpiece, and come in various lengths, up to 45 mm, suitable for large carnivore surgery.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.18 Equine Wolf Tooth Kit affords greater surface area of root contact during extractions.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.19 Equine Extraction Equipment provides greater leverage. Use it wisely so as not to fracture teeth or mandible.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.20 10 mm osteotome. A few controlled, powerful impacts are less traumatic than the “semi‐automatic” concussion effect of multiple lower impact strokes.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.21 The large 1″ Gouge. Also needs to be used with control and finesse.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.22 A large, double‐action rongeur for alveoloplasty/ridge contouring provides patient comfort. RESPECT EQUIPMENT: A rongeur is not an extraction forceps, nor is it a pair of pliers; it is designed to make a simple straight cut!
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.23 Vetroson V10® Electro‐surgery Unit (Summit Hill Laboratory. Tinton Falls, NJ, U.S.A.), is used for good hemostasis as well as for cutting soft tissue.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
Figure 3.24 A portable electrical evacuation system is handy, and saves using many gauze sponges when providing visualization of the surgical field.
Source: Edward R. Eisner.
4 Dental Form and Function as it Relates to Dental Therapy of Wild Animals
NOTE: Step‐by‐step therapeutic examples follow this section. Below is an outline indicating effective dental treatment modalities for various tooth types.
Elodont: Teeth that are continuously growing and have open apices. If vital, elodont teeth are better treated with pulpotomy. If necrotic, then root canal therapy or extraction is indicated.
1 Animals with only anterior elodont teeth (most rodents, e.g. rats, mice, squirrels; elephant tusks; hog tusks; hippo canines and incisors; upper incisors of hyrax).
2 Animals with both anterior and posterior elodont teeth. (Examples include Lagomorphs and some rodents [guinea pigs and chinchilla]; wombats are the sole marsupials).
3 Animals with only posterior elodont teeth (e.g. edentates [anteaters, armadillo, pangolins and sloths], and the primitive ungulate [aardvark]).
Tusks are elodont teeth:
Proboscidea: African and Asian elephant tusks are maxillary lateral incisors (2I2).
Artiodactyla: Tusks of hogs, and pigs, including babirusa are the maxillary and mandibular canines.
Figure 4.1 Warthog – Elodont male mandibular canine teeth only. Posterior teeth are brachydont, bunodont, and bilophodont.
Source: Peter Emily collection.
Figure 4.2 Female Red River Hog. Only the male has lower tusks and they are canine