Veterinary Dentistry Today

If burdened with the fracture of a maxillary 3^rd incisor root a simple mucoperiosteal flap will aid in exposure and facilitate extraction.   The flap extends mesial to the canine with a short releasing incision adjacent to the 2^nd incisor.  Vestibular bone is removed with a bur and small grooves made along the mesial and distal aspect of the root tip.  A luxator can then be used to place continuous pressure mesial and distal to complete the extraction.  The alveolus is rinsed, bone contoured smooth, a postop radiograph taken and the flap closed with simple interrupted sutures.

 This 13 year old cat has maxillary squamous cell carcinoma.  The cancer has created an open defect in the oral cavity.  These cats are painful as evidence by chatter reactions when the tissue is touched while under light general anesthesia.  At times it is possible to debulk the mass and close normal mucosa to the level of the palatal defect.  That was fortunately the case in this cat.  Complete surgical excision is not an option in this case.  Eliminating the defect in the oral cavity in this manner will provide comfort and a greatly enhance quality of life over the near term.  Lifelong pain management with gabapentin, metacam and tramadol are part of patient mangagement in this case.

This mass encased the infraorbital neurovascular bundle and extended into the nasal cavity.

This middle aged boxer has severe generalized gingival hyperplasia. Treatment involved excision of excessive tissue via gingivectomy with a scalpel followed by gingivoplasty with a #6 fluted bur on a high speed handpiece.

Postoperative Image

This middle aged greyhound had a prophylaxis three months prior.  Note the severe changes that have been present for some time.  Failure to properly treat or refer cases like this one result in unnecessary patient suffering.  The affected teeth were extracted and the adjacent teeth treated with EDTA and bone grafting.    This dog’s pet guardian will brush daily and place a dental sealant weekly along with an antiplaque water additive.  Periodic professional cleaning will be part of the preventive regimen.

This is the same cat as seen in the previous post.   Tooth 307 has both type I (mesial root) and type II tooth resorption.  The distal root is replaced by bone and there are no endodontic changes.   Therefore crown amputation is possible.  The mesial root however is surrounded by a distinct periodontal ligament space and must be extracted.