Chronic rhinitis and dental disease.

Whenever an animal is examined because of chronic rhinitis, the dentition should be carefully examined to rule out the possibility of a primary dental problem. Oral examination under heavy sedation or general anesthesia is necessary to diagnose many of these cases. A periodontal probe is used in detecting deep periodontal pockets that extend into the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus. A dental explorer is used to reveal pulpal exposure secondary to dental fractures or rapid dental wear or attrition. Careful oral examination is used to localize any oronasal or oroantral fistula from a previously lost tooth. Dental radiographs help to reveal the extent of alveolar bone pathology. An assessment of all these findings will result in an accurate diagnosis of the primary cause of the chronic rhinitis, which will in turn facilitate appropriate treatment.