Veterinary Medicine Essentials: Periodontal disease

Is this the look on your face when you think dentistry? Not your favorite subject because it likely wasn't emphasized in veterinary school. But you can get your patients' oral cavities back in biting form again-and pain-free-with this collection of articles on periodontal disease and extractions. And here's an area of practice in which your veterinary team can really pitch in to help create those healthy smiles.

Bonus: A little insight from your colleagues. See Dr. Matthew Lemmons explain his love for this essential part of veterinary practice, and then see why Dr. Dave Nicol says not learning about dentistry is "demented."

Updates on periodontal disease

The ABCs of veterinary dentistry collection

Jun 01, 2017

The place to see all of the articles in our alphabetical look at veterinary dentistry thus far. ...

dvm360s top veterinary dentistry tips from 2017

Dec 21, 2017

On a scale from Just cutting your teeth to Long in the tooth, how would you rate your veterinary dentistry skills and expertise? Regardless of where you land, were willing to bet theres a tip on this list thatll benefit you and your patients. ...

Don't call it a dental!

Nov 22, 2017

Prioritize preventive care on patients' teeth with a new acronym: COPAT. ...

What to do when you see a tooth of a different color

Mar 29, 2017

If your patient has a gray, pink, purple or blue tooth, dont just tell the owner to keep an eye on it. An intrinsically stained tooth is more than just a cosmetic issue, and the associated disease is often painful. ...

The periodontal conundrum: "Sorry doc, not doing that treatment."

May 10, 2016

What to recommend when your client does not agree with your periodontal diagnostic and treatment plan. ...

Fluoride: It's not just for humans anymore!

May 04, 2016

Are you using topical dental fluoride treatment to benefit your veterinary patients' teeth? ...

5 real world dental radiograph hacks

Jan 21, 2016

What can spiral perm rollers, a tree at noon and your own opposable thumbs teach you about taking dental radiographs? Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, explains. ...

Senior dental care: Never too old for good dental health

Dec 08, 2015

With individualized anesthesia protocols and appropriate monitoring, veterinary dental procedures are safer than ever before. Now, all senior patients can enjoy the benefits of good dental care. ...

Diagnosing periodontal disease

Identifying problems early in a puppy or kitten mouth

An oral exam should always be a part of your routine physical exam during puppy and kitten visits. Be on the alert for these specific dental problems in your youngest veterinary patients. ...

When it comes to dental radiography, do you know whats normal?

You have to have a solid understanding of the basicsand whats normalbefore you can leap to abnormal, says Dr. Barden Greenfield. ...

Diagnostic dental radiographs: A concise how-to

Mary Berg, RVT, RLATG, VTS (Dentistry), demonstrates her preferred method of obtaining these images. ...

Which way is up? Navigating dental radiography orientation

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out which side of the mouth youre looking at on a radiograph. Mary Berg, RVT, VTS (dentistry) shares tips to make it easier on yourself. ...

3 steps to effective periodontal disease diagnosis

Visual examination, anesthetized probing and intraoral radiography can help you assess each patient's level of disease. ...

Periodontal probing: Stop when you see red

Gingival bleeding on probing indicates inflammation and requires treatment. ...

Dental extraction techniques

Feline stomatitis: Get all the gunk

Leaving behind any rough edges or diseased tissue when removing teeth from cats with this painful condition is a big no-no, says Dr. Heidi Lobprise. ...

Sharp tools and good technique: A veterinary expert's advice on canine tooth extraction

Dr. Barden Greenfield can help you turn the tragedy of this particularly difficult extraction into a triumphant victory. ...

Advanced surgical extractions: From awful to awfully simple

Handy dos and donts from a veterinary dentist to make sure your next extraction case isnt a pain. ...

Bupivacaine and buprenorphine: Potential dynamic duo in veterinary dental nerve blocks

When it comes to regional nerve blocks in veterinary dentistry, are two bupsbupivacaine and buprenorphinebetter than one? ...

Six common pitfalls in veterinary dentistryand how to avoid them

From fractured retained roots to suture dehiscence, try out these preventive tips from Dr. Matthew Lemmons to make your dental procedures go smoother. ...

Taking the bite out of tooth extractions

The old string around the tooth trick won't work with your veterinary patients. But here are some tips to help you slam the door on your fears of tooth extraction. ...

Sharp mandibular canine tooth extraction advice

How to avoid iatrogenic fracture when removing these tricky teeth. ...

Skills Laboratory: How to perform four oral regional nerve blocks in dogs and cats

Try these quick and easy pain management techniques for oral surgery. ...

Skills Laboratory: How to extract a maxillary canine in dogs

Follow this straightforward, step-by-step guide to remove this large-rooted tooth by creating a mucoperiosteal flap. ...

Associated conditions

Teeth and fat: Diets for dental health and weight loss in cats and dogs

Looking to cut fat and keep healthy chompers in patients? Take a look at a sample offering from companies out there with veterinary-practice-exclusive diets. ...

Journal Scan: Cats' oral health problems linked to retroviral status

The take-home on this one? Think retroviral when you see inflammatory oral disease in cats. ...

Chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis: When 'kissing' isn't a good thing

This veterinary dental condition, also called kissing lesions, can be extremely painful in affected pets and requires immediate and dedicated care. ...

Just Ask the Expert: Bartonellosis and feline gingivostomatitis: Is there a relationship?

Veterinary dentist Dr. Daniel Carmichael asnwers this reader query. ...

What are oronasal or oroantral fistulas?

Oronasal and oroantral fistulas are communications between the oral cavity and the respiratory tract. ...

Client education

10 veterinary dental products you can recommend with a smile

Veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows compiled this list of food, treats and more that are proven effective in maintaining the health of pets' teeth. ...

Client handout: Protect your puppy's pearly whites

Help your veterinary clients start good dental care habits in puppyhood that carry over into adulthood. ...

Counseling clients on fractured teeth in their pets

Percolation-save it for your coffee, not for tooth fractures. ...

3 reasons cat owners say "no" to dental procedures

And ... we wouldn't leave you hanging just with the problems! Here's advice to tackle this trio of Dr. Karen Felsted-identified roadblocks at your veterinary practice in this new video from CVC. ...

Video: 3 approaches for veterinary client communication show why one works

Dr. Do-Right is more successful than Dr. Detail and Dr. Downer. ...

Client handout: What's in your cat's mouth?

Here's a veterinary handout that will gross out-and educate-clients about feline dental care. ...

Client handout: Bad breath (halitosis) in pets

Download this PDF of a client handout on halitosis in pets, and help get your clients onboard with preventive oral care. ...

Arming your team

Just Smile: A veterinary dental instrument sharpening guide

Sharp curettes and scalers are better for your team and your patients. Follow this step-by-step guide for getting your dental instruments in sharp shape. ...

(Mini) Team Meeting in a Box: A radical guide to diagnostic dental radiographs

How to take better dental radiographs and explain to clients the importance of the dental preventive care, diagnostics and treatments you and your fantastic veterinary team provide every day. ...

15 steps to a complete veterinary dental exam and treatment procedure

Are you ready to shine in dentistry? Follow these steps for a polished performance. ...

Technicians: Champion pets chompers

If your veterinary practices current dental procedure marketing methods seem a bit long in the tooth, brush up on some new approaches. ...

The ultimate guide to veterinary dental home care

Feel confident in your recommendations for dental products that your veterinary clients can use at home. ...

Canine dental treat comparison chart

Not all canine dental treats are created equal. Use this chart in your veterinary hospital to help dog owners find the best chews for their pets. ...

6 stinky dental recommendations

Bad words matter. And you could be turning off veterinary clients with these weak words and phrases. Use these sample scripts for a fresh approach to dental care. ...

A cure for the dentistry estimate recoil: Educate clients, THEN sell them

Mark Opperman has two ways you can get your clients to agree to this needed yet expensive veterinary health service. ...