Surgical Extractions for Periodontal Disease in a Western Lowland Gorilla

This case report describes the surgical extraction of multiple premolar and molar teeth in a Western Lowland gorilla. Postoperative photographs and radiographs indicated complete healing of the extraction sites. This case report includes a review of gorilla dental anatomy, oral disease in primates, pathogenesis of periodontal disease, predisposing factors to periodontal disease, and principles of surgical tooth extraction. J Vet Dent 27 (1); 24-32, 2010