Is combining dentistry with other surgical procedures a good idea?June 15, 2020There is much debate regarding the clinical significance of bacteremia and what role it plays, if any, in development of adverse events.
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Understanding anesthesia in canine dentistryOctober 17, 2019They also represent a source of fear and concern for pet owners—witness the burgeoning anesthesia-free dental cleaning services that have become popular.
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 …
Diabetes and dental diseaseAugust 16, 2018As veterinary practitioners, we see our fair share of diabetic patients who require extensive dental work. The goal with these patients is to improve their quality of life and, in some cases, improve glycemic control by removing a source of chronic infection in the form of periodontal disease. The challenge is to “do no harm” in the process. Invariably, oral surgery will set back the appetite of any patient. Lack of appetite becomes a bigger issue when a patient has diabetes and is supplemented with injectable insulin.
Bone grafting in oral surgeryDecember 6, 2017Dentigerous cysts can be expansive and cause a large amount of bone loss. I have seen a case where a large dentigerous cyst resulted in a pathologic fracture of the mandible in a dog.
Dog with severe maxillofacial trauma adapts wellJune 28, 2017I want to share with you a story about a special patient. Teresa is a 2-year-old mixed breed dog, originally from Thailand, who was flown to New Jersey for medical treatment of prior maxillofacial trauma.
