While it is true that many patients with dental problems are geriatric, anesthesia is generally safe and predictable. Routine precautions should be taken with preoperative assessment, not to determine whether or not to administer anesthesia, but to determine how to do it safely.
Some of the known causes of external root resorption include inflammation related to infection (either marginal from periodontal disease or apical from endodontic disease), pressure secondary to expanding cysts, tumors, or impacted teeth, excessive orthodontic force, after any trauma to the periodontal ligament, and one component of the normal process of primary tooth exfoliation.
A good clinical oral examination is one of the most important tools we have for diagnosing many dental and oral problems. However, much of the pathology in the oral cavity involves the roots and supportive bone of the teeth instead of their visible crowns.
Familiarity with the normal structures and physiology of the oral cavity is a powerful tool to help identify what is not normal. Detailed examination of many normal mouths is the best way to acquire expertise.
Radiographs should be made whenever clinical examination indicates that there might be subgingival pathology that could be identified or better characterized by evaluating the hidden hard tissues.
The many abnormalities, lesions and diseases that are commonly found in the oral cavity become much easier to recognize after one has become familiar with the normal oral anatomy and structures. The most common and most obvious problems, such as periodontal disease and fractured teeth, are easy to identify during routine oral examinations.
Clients frequently express concern about the anesthesia their dogs or cats need for professional oral evaluation and care.
New Banfield study identifies animals most at risk.
Stinky pet breath. Your clients might find it off-putting, but they probably don't know halitosis can be a sign of serious medical problems, such as periodontal disease or oral or systemic infection.
Get your whole veterinary team involved in showing clients that pets are happier and healthier with preventive dental healthcare.
Five cheers to get clients and your team rooting for healthy teeth for every pet.
Start with these and see if your own creative juices start flowing with love for pet oral health.
Everyone plays an important part in making sure pets receive the dental care they need. What?s your role?
This short conversation can help you respond when clients refuse the care you recommend.
Schaumburg, Ill. -- It's February, so it's time to think teeth.
Dr. Colin Harvey speaks about treatment of severe periodontal disease and shared his insights about dealing with the special needs of afflicted animals.
A bite registration can be a valuable part of orthodontic planning for patients with a rostral crossbite.
Oronasal and oroantral fistulas are communications between the oral cavity and the respiratory tract.
Download this PDF of a client handout on halitosis in pets, and help get your clients onboard with preventive oral care.
In the last 20 years, veterinary dentistry has seen tremendous growth in the education of veterinarians regarding oral health. And the message is being communicated to pet owners.
If you believe in the importance of pet dental health, it's easier to convince clients. Consider these marketing tips
Veterinary patients with chronic oral disease requiring oral surgery benefit tremendously from what I call the analgesic triad: continuous rate infusions (CRIs), physiologically targeted post-operative analgesics and regional nerve blocks.
While your team is probably always educating clients about dental care, February's Pet Dental Health Month gives you a chance to evaluate and hone your efforts-and these resources will help.
Oklahoma City, Okla. --Equine teeth floaters are getting another chance at legitimacy in Oklahoma, after two years of back-and-forth decisions over whether they could practice their craft in the state.
A reader tip for an oral antiseptic in exotic pets.
