M. Lynne Kesel, DVM
Dental emergencies may be periodontal, endodontal or orthodontal. Periodontal emergencies include any painful lesion that causes anorexia, particularly with cats. These include deep periodontal pockets causing local, adjacent or distant infection, resorptive lesions, stomatitis, and loose or hypererupted teeth which interfere with occlusion. Endodontal emergencies are fractures into the pulp that are either fresh or actively abscessing. Orthodontal emergencies include fractures which involve bone and teeth and malocclusions occurring during the transition between deciduous and permanent dentition. Examples of these categories and treatments are discussed.