Problems associated with the diagnosis and treatment of endodontic disease.

The diagnosis of endodontic lesions in animal dentistry is complicated and restricted by the use of objective diagnostic procedures. Human endodontics uses subjective symptoms to a large degree, as well as objective symptoms. Subjective symptoms include patient pain; sensitivity to hot or cold; percussion; and foul taste or odor. Veterinary dentists must receive input from clients, as well as using their own clinical and radiographic evaluation. Many endodontic lesions remain undetected because the client fails to notice broken or discolored teeth, facial swelling, drooling, difficulty in chewing, chewing only on one side, and general malaise. An increased awareness of the endodontic problems that can occur in animals increases the level of veterinary care. Numerous techniques, including apexogenesis, apexification, direct and indirect pulp capping, and conventional and surgical endodontic therapy, can be used to treat various endodontic problems successfully.