Training for dental successJanuary 7, 2020Many clinics have a dedicated technician or veterinarian who is comfortable with or does most dentistry procedures. But what happens when that person calls in sick or leaves the practice?
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Orofacial manifestations of BDLDNovember 12, 2019BDLD: four letters often listed at the top of the sheet of an emergency room visit as the presenting problem.
When it's more than a dental problemOctober 17, 2019We had a tough day at the clinic recently. Working in the specialty of dentistry and oral surgery, it’s rare we need to broach the topic of euthanasia.
Cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry and oral surgeryMay 24, 2019Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized our ability to detect subtle hard and soft tissue abnormalities of the maxillofacial region. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is creating much buzz amongst veterinary dentists when it comes to dental/maxillofacial diagnostic tools. What is the difference between CBCT and conventional CT? Rather than a collection of thin, closely spaced slices obtained with a fan-shaped beam of conventional CT, CBCT has both an X-ray generator and detector that rotates around the patient, capturing data with a cone-shaped beam. Both modalities can be used to create very helpful 3-D reconstructions of the areas of interest, although CBCT provides increased detail of dentoalveolar structures. One veterinary study compared CBCT's diagnostic image quality with that of 64-multidetector row CT sagittal slices. Four blinded evaluators compared CBCT and 64-multidetector row CT images. Trabecular bone, enamel, dentin, pulp cavity, periodontal ligament space, lamina dura and "overall impression" were scored. Images captured with CBCT were found to be significantly superior in image quality when compared to images acquired with 64-multidetector CT in all categories.1 Inka, the jaguar My first experience with CBCT was with a patient from the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pa. Inka is a five-year-old jaguar that fractured …
Covetrus signs deal with Mars Petcare for exclusive dental health and medication productsMay 8, 2019Covetrus is now the exclusive supplier of Mars Petcare's Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets. The deal allows veterinarians to purchase the products for both their in-clinic and ecommerce/auto-ship channels, helping to differentiate themselves from online competitors. "With our customer reach, differentiated go-to-market strategy, and our industry-leading service organization, Covetrus is uniquely suited to partner with Mars Petcare to drive increased adoption of dental health solutions and medication administration tools for our customers and their clients," says Matt Leonard, Covetrus's executive vice president, president of North America and global supply chain officer. "This new partnership highlights the opportunity we have at Covetrus to continuously help support veterinarians deliver cost-effective solutions and enhance their client experience." Both Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets are designed to simplify oral care and medicating solutions for pet owners.
Surgical endodontics: When all else fails...May 6, 2019In my previous two columns, we looked at conventional (orthograde) root canal therapy, along with vital pulp therapy. This time, we will discuss surgical (retrograde) endodontics. In instances where orthograde root canal therapy has failed, a decision needs to be made to either perform a second orthograde root canal therapy or to proceed to the next step: surgical endodontics. Extraction would be a third option for a failed root canal procedure if the owner no longer chooses to salvage the endodontically diseased tooth. Besides its use as a treatment when orthograde root canal therapy fails, retrograde root canal therapy may be the chosen course of action when an instrument breaks off while performing an orthograde procedure. Instruments most likely to break off in the canal include Lentulo spiral paste fillers, barbed broaches, and rotary files. Sometimes the detached instrument portion can be entombed in endodontic filling material during orthograde obturation, but if not, a retrograde procedure may be warranted. The procedure What is surgical root canal therapy? A surgical approach is made over the apical portion of the root, and bone is carefully removed to expose the root area (Figure 1). The apical 4 mm of the root is surgically …
Vital pulp therapy in dogs and catsMarch 29, 2019Last month, we discussed the rationale behind and approach to conventional (orthograde) endodontic therapy. Orthograde root canal therapy removes the entire contents of the pulp chamber in the root canal system. Vital pulp therapy is a different kind of endodontic procedure, performed instead on teeth that have had recent pulp exposure. Determining whether it's best to perform vital pulp therapy or orthograde root canal therapy for an individual tooth is a judgment call. Most dentists gravitate toward orthograde root canal therapy whenever possible, since it involves removing the entire contents of the pulp and minimizes the likelihood of possible future pain and infection by not leaving to chance whether remaining pulp maintains its vitality. However, orthograde root canal therapy may not be an option for young teeth, as they lack a closed apex. In the past, it was a rule of thumb that vital pulp therapy be performed within 48 hours of pulp exposure in dogs older than 18 months of age and within two weeks in dogs younger than 18 months of age. However, the sooner vital pulp therapy is performed after pulp exposure, the better the chance of success. Therefore, even when a patient is younger than 18 …
AAHA releases 2019 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and CatsMarch 7, 2019The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has updated its dental care guidelines with the goal of decreasing oral pain and improving the quality of life for dogs and cats. While not always apparent to pet owners, by the age of three, dogs and cats have some level of periodontal disease. Updated from the 2013 edition, the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are designed to help veterinary professionals expand their current client education efforts, so pet owners understand periodontal disease can be avoided through regular dental checkups and proper home care. The new guidelines also help veterinary practitioners address the fear of anesthesia among pet owners, as it is the most common reason for declining dental procedures. "Regular dental care is one of the most powerful ways we can improve the quality of life of our patients," said AAHA chief executive officer, Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (emeritus). "AAHA continues to support the use of general anesthesia in dental procedures to promote appropriate diagnostic capabilities and decrease patient stress, injury, and risk of aspiration. Because home care is crucial in the support of a healthy, pain-free mouth, client communication and education remain central to these guidelines." Detailed …
How to improve client compliance for dental proceduresFebruary 11, 2019This month, veterinarians are being encouraged to raise awareness of oral care as a component of general health for animals and increase routine dental checkups.
Five reasons clients will love your dental experienceFebruary 4, 2019What if clients loved their pets' dental experiences at your veterinary hospital? As most dogs and cats have periodontal disease by age three, you will speak with clients multiple times about dental treatments over their pets' lifetimes. Creating a positive experience for the first dental procedure can set you up for success when you need to present future care. Here are five strategies for creating stellar client satisfaction through your dental services. 1) Tackle paperwork in advance. Don't wait until the morning of procedures to get signatures. Clients may have experienced road rage while driving to your clinic, chased the cat for 45 minutes trying to get it into the carrier, and were late for work. Instead, have clients sign treatment plans and anesthetic consent forms on the day of diagnosis when they book procedures. At my recent seminar in Reno, Nev., a technician testified this tactic reduced a 20-minute surgical admission to seven minutes. A backup plan is to use text and email together. Two days before the procedure, text the client to confirm the admission appointment: "See you tomorrow at 8 a.m. for <pet name's> dental admission. No food after 10 p.m. Water is OK. We emailed …
