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Oral disease involving teeth is a common cause of morbidity in aardvarks ( Orycteropus afer ) under managed care. Cases can be challenging due to the species' unique skull and dental anatomy and limited veterinary literature. A retrospective evaluation was performed on dental examinations in nine aardvarks housed at a single zoological institution in the United States between 1995 and 2021. The prevalence of dental disease in this population was 88%, with most cases categorized as mild (4/8). Clinical signs were only seen in three cases. Facial swelling prior to surgery was the most common clinical sign (3/8). Dental pathology was more common in the mandibular teeth (27/38) compared to the maxillary teeth (11/38). Dental abnormalities found upon intraoral examination included the presence of dental points (7/8), crown elongation (3/8), purulent material within the oral cavity (4/8), loose teeth (2/8), periodontal pockets (2/8), and oronasal fistula (1/8). Three patients required dental extractions with a lateral buccostomy approach. Diagnostic imaging was performed in most cases (7/8), with two cases undergoing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to characterize dental pathology that was difficult to fully evaluate with standard radiography. Tomographic findings are described in both cases. CBCT was found to be a helpful tool for diagnosing and characterizing dental disease in aardvarks.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the practice of companion animal dentistry for the veterinary profession. Dental care is necessary to provide optimum health and quality of life. Diseases of the oral cavity, if left untreated, are often painful and can contribute to other local or systemic diseases. This paper includes guidelines for materials and equipment, dental cleaning and evaluation, client communication, and pet home care.

Veterinary dentistry has evolved to the point that consumers now demand and expect the best oral health care possible for their pets. The gold standard is an attainable goal for all veterinary practices that provide oral health care. If the practice chooses to improve its delivery system, the changes should be rewarding.

Modern composite restorative materials offer the veterinarian greater flexibility in the repair of damaged teeth. An understanding of the make-up of these materials is essential to maximize the effectiveness of the repairs. Endodontic disease was once ignored and is now treated on a daily basis. Newer composite restorations offer an effective means of protecting the sensitive pulp from bacterial invasion and allow the veterinarian to restore the tooth to function.

HTR polymer Synthetic Bone was found to be an osteoconductive, biocompatible, reliable nonresorbable matrix ridge maintenance material (Ridge Preservation). When used as socket implants immediately after the extraction of teeth over a one-year period in 16 beagle dogs, HTR was observed clinically and radiographically and compared with controls (unimplanted, sutured) extraction sites. As the control areas resorbed, the stability and effectiveness of the synthetic bone material in the operative sites became more clearly delineated. Quantitative analyses could not be made using radiographic techniques, but radiographs supported by subjective clinical observations as well as study casts taken of the height and width of the implanted areas, showed greater ridge retention compared with controls. Histological sections demonstrated dense laminar bone gradually forming into and around the HTR particulate material.

Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of the early loss of teeth in dogs and cats. Some of the factors in the adult animal that play a major role in the development of periodontal diseases are discussed in this article, including overcrowding, malocclusions, diet, developmental defects, and metabolic and systemic disease.