radiographic evaluation of dental malocclusion and elongation of the teeth in rabbits: a retrospective study

aquired dental disease is characterized by deterioration of tooth quality, acquired malocclusion and elongation of the teeth roots. by now, there is no study to show incidence rate of dental diseases in iranian pet rabbits. the aim of this study is to investigate types of disorders (dental malocclusion and elongation of the teeth roots) and rate of dental diseases based on information received from radiographs prepared from referred rabbits to small animals hospital, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of tehran, iran. during three years (2004-2007) 64 out of 239 radiographs were related to dental disorders in rabbits. among 64 studied radiographs, 23.44% were affected by stage i of the disease and the same rate was affected by the stage ii. almost 37.5% of the affected rabbits showed signs of stage iii of the disease which were accompanying with malocclusion and loss of zigzag occlusal pattern of upper and lower cheek teeth. 15.62% were affed by stage iv of the disease, no affected cases with stage v was shown. these results showed high occurrence rate of tooth root elongation and malocclusion (about 64.06%) in referred pet rabbits to the university of tehran veterinary hospital.