Episode 237 – Root Planing vs. Extraction: When Can You Save the Tooth?

For the next several weeks, we're sharing exclusive Q&A sessions from The Definitive Veterinary Extraction Protocol, recorded live during the July 2026 course. These episodes provide an overview of the topics covered and give you a preview of the practical, step-by-step training included in the full program. As a listener of The Vet Dental Show, you have a limited-time opportunity to purchase the complete course for $300 off before its official release on August 15. This special podcast listener pricing ends Sunday, so don't miss your chance to secure lifetime access to the course at a significant discount. Learn more and enroll here: https://ivdi.org/extract -- Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM -- What You'll Learn in This Episode 🎯 How to decide between open and closed root planing 🎯 Why bleeding on probing can be more important than probing depth alone 🎯 How large a flap should be for open root planing and curettage 🎯 Why periodontal root planing is rarely indicated in cats 🎯 When small periodontal defects may not require a bone graft 🎯 Which canine periodontal defects may be candidates for root planing and regenerative therapy 🎯 How the mucogingival line influences whether a periodontal defect can be treated 🎯 What apical root resorption can indicate about tooth vitality 🎯 Why converging or fused roots do not automatically mean extraction 🎯 When dentigerous and maxillary cysts should be referred to a veterinary dental specialist Key Veterinary Dentistry Takeaways 🔑 The decision between open and closed root planing is driven primarily by whether the periodontal defect involves bone or soft tissue—not simply by probing depth. 🔑 Bleeding on probing, particularly alongside marginal gingivitis, is an important indicator of active periodontal inflammation. 🔑 Open root planing flaps should be extended only as far as necessary to adequately visualize and clean the periodontal defect. 🔑 Periodontal therapy in cats has limited indications because of their thin attached gingiva, although select early canine-tooth lesions may be candidates. 🔑 Small periodontal defects may be managed without a bone graft, while larger defects may require additional regenerative therapy. 🔑 Gingival recession extending beyond the mucogingival line can significantly limit treatment options for canine teeth. 🔑 Root resorption involving the apex can indicate loss of tooth vitality, while resorption elsewhere does not necessarily mean the tooth is non-vital. 🔑 Root convergence or fusion alone is not automatically an indication for extraction. 🔑 Complex dentigerous or maxillary cysts can be difficult to completely remove and may require specialist expertise. Questions This Episode Answers ❓ When should veterinarians perform open versus closed root planing? ❓ Is there a probing depth that determines when open root planing is necessary? ❓ Why does bleeding on periodontal probing matter? ❓ How large should a periodontal flap be for open root planing? ❓ Can root planing and curettage be performed in cats? ❓ When should a bone graft be used for periodontal defects? ❓ Can periodontal therapy save a canine tooth with gingival recession? ❓ Are teeth with resorbing roots always non-vital? ❓ Do converging tooth roots always require extraction? ❓ How do you know when a dentigerous cyst has been completely removed? ❓ When should cystic lesions be referred to a veterinary dental specialist? -- Ready to take your dentistry skills further? 🎓 FREE RACE-Approved CE Course https://ivdi.org/free 🦷 Live & Online Veterinary Dental Courses https://veterinarydentistry.net/ 🛠️ Dr. Brett's Trusted Equipment & Instruments https://drbrettspets.com/ 💻 Save $300 on The Definitive Veterinary Extraction Protocol — offer ends Sunday: https://ivdi.org/extract -- veterinary root planing, open root planing veterinary dentistry, closed root planing, veterinary periodontal therapy, veterinary periodontal disease, veterinary tooth extraction, veterinary dentistry, canine periodontal disease, feline periodontal disease, periodontal probing dogs, bleeding on probing veterinary, veterinary dental bone graft, canine gingival recession, veterinary tooth resorption, root resorption dog, converging tooth roots, fused tooth roots, dentigerous cyst dog, veterinary dental cyst, veterinary oral surgery, veterinary dental specialist, veterinary dental extraction, veterinary dentistry continuing education, veterinary dental CE, veterinary dentistry podcast, veterinary dental training, The Vet Dental Show, Dr Brett Beckman