The elaboration of study models of superior and inferior dental arcades in mongrel dogs (Canis familiars, Linnaeus, 1756)

Abstract

The digestive apparel is constituted by the digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines and the anus) and the glands attached (salivary glands, liver, and pancreas) that secrete enzymes to act on the food and help in its digestion and absorption. The teeth act on the capture and triturating of food in the oral cavity and are mineralized, resistant and whitened organs. They are implanted in the dental alveolus through a fibrous articulation called gomphosis and present topographic, morphological and functional differences (incisive, canines, pre-molars and molars) in different stages of development (deciduous and permanent teeth). This work presents a technique for the making of molds, modeling and models of the superior and inferior dental arcades in mongrel dogs to be used as auxiliary didactical material during practical classes of Descriptive Anatomy of Domestic Animals at the Veterinary Medicine School, University Center of Maringá – CESUMAR (PR). A molding apparatus was made from a plastic bottle and was carried out with the use of alginate; after that, models in plaster were made and then the identification of the morphological and topographic differences in the teeth in the superior and inferior arcades were carried out.