Classification and Epidemiology of Traumatic Dentoalveolar Injuries in Dogs and Cats: 959 Injuries in 660 Patient Visits (2004-2012).

The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of traumatic dentoalveolar injuries (TDI) in dogs and cats and to evaluate the applicability of a human classification system for TDI in dogs and cats. All patients diagnosed with a TDI were identified from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service case log and the hospital patient processing software. The study population consisted of 621 dogs and cats, in a total of 660 patient visits from 2004 to 2012, admitted for oral treatment and subsequently diagnosed with at least one TDI Medical records including diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed to group the injury according to a classification system used in humans for TDI. Patient signalment, tooth injured, and number of injuries per patient were recorded and tabulated. The overall prevalence of TDI was 26.2%. The mean +/- SD number of TDI per patient was 1.45 +/- 0.85. All 14 classes of TDI recognized by the classification system utilized in humans were identified, and all (100%) TDI identified in this study were classifiable using this system. Enamel-dentin-pulp fracture was the most common TDI (49.6%). The most commonly injured teeth were the mandibular or maxillary canine teeth (35.5%). The most common age for dogs and cats with TDI were 3-6 years (33.0%) and 7-10 years (31.3%). With a frequency of 1 in 4 animals, TDI are common and represent a significant pet health concern. Most TDI are considered severe and require timely, and sometimes immediate, treatment. The adoption and utilization of a complete classification system, such as the one used in this study, is recommended in order to improve future epidemiological study of TDI in animals.