Episode 159 - Veterinary Dentistry: When to Extract, Restore, or Refer?

02/12/25 • 12 min

🔗 Exclusive Offer for Podcast Listeners! Get a huge discount on Dr. Brett Beckman’s Composite Restoration and Bonding Course! Visit https://ivdi.org/restore and use promo code podcast at checkout!

Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program for specialized training today! https://ivdi.org/inv

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Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, shares expert insights into diagnosing and treating common dental fractures in veterinary practice. Using real-world case examples, he discusses when to extract, when to refer, and how to educate clients about their pet’s dental care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to diagnose and assess common dental fractures ✅ The decision-making process: extraction vs. root canal treatment ✅ Understanding tooth resorption and its impact on treatment options ✅ Techniques for odontoplasty, bonding, and composite restorations ✅ Managing complex extractions, including ankylosis and periodontal disease

Key Takeaways: Slab fractures with pulp exposure require treatment—either root canal or extraction Tooth resorption may indicate endodontic disease, requiring extraction Restoration techniques must consider chewing trauma and long-term success Complex extractions should be referred when necessary to ensure the best outcome Client education is essential to help pet owners make informed decisions

Links & Resources for Veterinary Professionals: Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program – https://ivdi.org/inv

Get a huge discount on Dr. Brett Beckman’s Composite Restoration and Bonding Course! Visit https://ivdi.org/restore and use promo code podcast at checkout!

📩 Have questions or comments? Drop them below! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more expert veterinary dentistry content!

Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program for specialized training today! https://ivdi.org/inv

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Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Links & Resources for Veterinary Professionals: Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program – https://ivdi.org/inv

Get a huge discount on Dr. Brett Beckman’s Composite Restoration and Bonding Course! Visit https://ivdi.org/restore and use promo code podcast at checkout!

📩 Have questions or comments? Drop them below! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more expert veterinary dentistry content!

Previous Episode

Episode 158 - How Long Do Crowns Last & When to Refer for Root Canals

Enhance Your Veterinary Dentistry Skills! Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program for specialized training today! https://ivdi.org/inv Explore Dr. Beckman’s courses and resources to deepen your expertise in veterinary dentistry. https://veterinarydentistry.net/ Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Brett Beckman, a board-certified veterinary dentist, answers key questions on veterinary dentistry, including the longevity of crowns, success rates of vital pulp therapy, and when to refer for root canal treatment. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How long crowns last in veterinary patients and if they need replacement
Success rates of vital pulp therapy and why early intervention matters
Key radiographic signs that indicate the need for a root canal referral
Why root canal training isn’t available for general practitioners
How to educate clients on tooth extractions—even when pets seem fine
What to expect in post-root canal monitoring for long-term success
Why fractured deciduous teeth in puppies should be extracted ASAP

Key Takeaways:

Properly placed crowns should last the lifetime of the patient
Vital pulp therapy success rates drop significantly after 48 hours
Radiographs are essential for determining tooth vitality and referral timing
Root canals require extensive training, making referral the best option
Client education is critical for gaining owner compliance with extractions
Fractured baby teeth can lead to infection and should be extracted immediately

Links & Resources for Veterinary Professionals: Apply to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program - https://ivdi.org/inv Explore Dr. Beckman’s courses and resources - https://veterinarydentistry.net/ Have questions or comments? Let us know below, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more valuable veterinary dentistry content!

Next Episode

Episode 160 - Antibiotic Use in Veterinary Dentistry: What You Need to Know!

🔗 Get Your Veterinary Antibiotic Guidelines! Download the latest recommendations for antibiotic use in veterinary dentistry. Visit http://ivdi.org/ab to access the document and receive updates!

Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, board-certified veterinary dentist Dr. Brett Beckman dives into best practices for antibiotic use in veterinary dentistry. He reviews the latest research, recommendations from AVDC and AAHA, and provides clear guidelines for when to use antibiotics for prophylaxis in dental procedures.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Current AVDC & AAHA recommendations on antibiotic use ✅ The impact of recent research on antimicrobial use in general practice ✅ Specific conditions that require pre-operative antibiotics ✅ The role of beta-lactams and alternative antibiotic choices ✅ Why post-operative antibiotics are generally not recommended

Key Takeaways: 🔹 Antibiotics should only be used for specific pre-existing conditions (e.g., cardiac, metabolic, hepatic, renal disease) 🔹 Timing is crucial – Administer 30-60 minutes pre-operatively and repeat during longer procedures 🔹 Beta-lactams (e.g., cephalexin, ampicillin) are the primary choices 🔹 Post-op antibiotics are unnecessary unless osteomyelitis is confirmed via radiographs, CBCT, or biopsy

Download the Antibiotic Use Guidelines: 📩 Get the full document with antibiotic dosages and specific indications at http://ivdi.org/ab. This document is regularly updated to reflect the latest evidence-based recommendations!

Have questions or comments? Drop them below! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more expert veterinary dentistry content.

Explore More Veterinary Dentistry Resources Learn more about veterinary dental education: https://veterinarydentistry.net/

The Vet Dental Show - Episode 159 - Veterinary Dentistry: When to Extract, Restore, or Refer?

Transcript

00:00:00.606

Hi, I'm Bret Beckman and welcome to the Vet Dental Show. I bring this podcast to you every week on Wednesdays and as veterinarians and technicians our goal is to get you to the point where you're super comfortable in your dentistry service so you can provide the best care for your patients. This week what we're going to do is look at a course that we recently released and we're going to take a short segment from that course, probably the most impactful little segment