Abstract

Veterinary dentistry is recognized as a specialty by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Board certified specialists are trained to perform procedures such as periodontal surgery, root canal therapy, preventative dentistry and oral surgery. These procedures can be successfully performed on marine mammals.

An adult female sea otter (Enhydra lutris) was noted to have bilateral periodontal inflammation between the mandibular fourth premolars and first premolars. Anesthesia was induced with Fentanyl and Midazolam and maintained with Isoflurane. Treatment consisted of intraoral dental radiographs, periodontal therapy and odontoplasty. Radiographic evaluation revealed a pocket between the mandibular fourth premolars and first premolars. Treatment consisted of odontoplasty to open the interproximal space to allow more natural cleaning action to take place. Follow-up approximately 20 months later showed no further progression of the disease.

An adult California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was evaluated for a fractured left mandibular third premolar. The patient did not exhibit any clinical signs. Several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were performed while the patient was awake. The first was an intraoral radiographic evaluation using a size 2 digital radiographic sensor. This radiograph indicated a fractured tooth with lytic bone around the root. The patient was subsequently trained to accept a local anesthetic. Intraligamentous anesthetic with 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride was administered by progressive infiltration with a N-Tralig Intraligamentary Syringe and the tooth was extracted by elevation technique. This exceptionally well trained patient allowed extraction without any complication.

An adult male Oriental Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea) was evaluated for a fractured left maxillary canine tooth. After induction of anesthesia with ketamine and medetomidine and maintenance with Isoflurane, a complete oral exam including intraoral radiology was performed. In addition to the fractured canine, the right mandibular third premolar was fractured. Root canal therapy was performed on the canine tooth. Due to the length of time prior to treatment and progression of disease of the premolar, the premolar was extracted. Had the condition been addressed earlier, endodontic treatment and restoration would have required less time under anesthesia than extraction.

An adult female Northern Elephant Seal (M. angustirostris) was evaluated for a fractured left maxillary canine tooth. A fistula was present and was non-responsive to daily irrigation with Betadine and dilute chlorhexidine solutions. After induction with Telazol and ketamine, anesthesia was maintained with Isoflurane. The tooth was extracted by first extracting the first premolar for access and then elevated using specially adapted dental elevators. The fistula closed and healed without complication.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Dr. Dave Casper, Dr. Mike Murray, and the technical team and trainers at the Moss Landing Marine Lab and University of California for their technical support.