Dental extractions: clever tips for canines and carnassials

Authors: Hawke C
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Dental, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Dental extractions are one of the most frequently performed procedures in small animal clinical practice, yet they are feared and loathed by many veterinarians, and often unnecessarily traumatic for the patient. While any tooth can be difficult to extract, the massive roots on the canines and carnassials pose their own set of problems. These teeth are critical for the survival of carnivores in the wild, and accordingly they are beautifully designed to not come out, even under the extreme pressures of hunting and fighting. Extraction should be viewed as a surgical procedure, carrying with it the risk of complications such as haemorrhage, soft tissue trauma, neural damage, bone fracture, wound infection and impaired wound healing. However, as with other surgical procedures, forward planning and observation of some basic principles can help make extractions minimally painful for both the patient and the surgeon. Successful extraction involves the complete removal of the tooth, including the roots, from the alveolar bony socket with minimal surgical trauma to the patient, leaving a wound that has optimal conditions for healing. The following tips should help with planning a trouble-free extraction, or at least minimise the chance of significant complications.

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