Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Anomalous development of the upper third premolar in a dog and a cat.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Verstraete, F J
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two pets, a dog and a cat, that had unusual development of their upper third premolar teeth. In both cases, the affected teeth had a split crown and three roots, with the middle root being wider than normal and having two separate channels. This abnormal tooth structure led to problems: the cat had misaligned teeth (malocclusion), while both pets developed gum disease (periodontitis). The researchers also talked about the challenges in telling apart two similar dental issues called gemination and fusion. The outcome of the cases was not specified, but the findings highlight the importance of recognizing these dental anomalies.
Abstract
Two cases of anomalous development of the upper third premolar in a dog and a cat are described. The involved teeth have a bifid crown and 3 roots. The central root is abnormally wide and has 2 separate root canals. The anomalous tooth is the cause of malocclusion in the cat and of periodontitis in both cases. The difficulty in distinguishing gemination from fusion is discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4078835/