Episode 218 - The #1 Dental Mistake Vets Still Make

Want to sharpen your dental skills and earn RACE-approved CE—completely free? 👉 Head over to https://ivdi.org/free to access high-impact training and join thousands of veterinary professionals improving their dentistry outcomes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode, we tackle real-world clinical questions submitted by veterinary professionals during recent trainings. From flap design concerns to periodontal regeneration strategies, this Q&A session delivers practical, experience-driven guidance you can immediately apply in general practice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This episode focuses on common—but often nuanced—clinical challenges in veterinary dentistry. Dr. Beckman addresses concerns around surgical technique, instrument handling, and treatment decision-making with clear, actionable explanations. Key topics include safe flap creation near critical anatomy, effective gingival closure techniques, suture selection across species, and the clinical importance of removing retained tooth roots. The discussion also dives into instrument sharpening protocols and modern periodontal therapies, including the shift away from traditional antibiotic products toward regenerative solutions like hyaluronic acid-based gels. If you're looking to refine your surgical confidence and elevate patient outcomes, this episode delivers essential insights grounded in daily clinical practice. What You'll Learn in This Episode ✅ How to safely create vertical releasing flaps near the infraorbital canal ✅ Practical technique for closing gingiva near the canine tooth ✅ Suture material selection for dogs vs. cats in oral surgery ✅ Why retained deciduous roots must always be removed—and how to do it efficiently ✅ Step-by-step approach to accessing and extracting fractured roots ✅ How often to sharpen dental instruments—and who should be responsible ✅ Clinical decision-making for teeth affected by resorption ✅ Techniques to stabilize bone graft material within extraction sites ✅ How hyaluronic acid-based products enhance healing and reduce pain ✅ Why traditional periodontal antibiotics are becoming obsolete Key Veterinary Dentistry Takeaways ✅ Vertical flap creation is safer than many assume when proper tissue tension and anatomical awareness are applied ✅ Retained roots are not benign—they can lead to infection, fistulas, and chronic discomfort ✅ Efficient flap design and bone removal improve visualization and extraction success ✅ Instrument sharpness directly impacts surgical efficiency and outcomes—make it routine ✅ Bone graft success depends on proper layering, clot management, and stabilization ✅ Hyaluronic acid gels support regeneration, reduce epithelial down-growth, and improve healing predictability ✅ Periodontal therapy is shifting toward biologics and regeneration—not antibiotics Questions This Episode Answers ❓ How close is too close to the infraorbital nerve during flap creation? ❓ What's the best way to suture gingiva near tight anatomical spaces? ❓ Which suture size should I use for different patient sizes? ❓ Do I really need to chase every retained root fragment? ❓ What's the easiest way to remove fractured deciduous roots? ❓ Should I sharpen instruments daily, weekly, or after every procedure? ❓ When is extraction necessary for resorptive lesions? ❓ Why does bone graft material displace—and how do I prevent it? ❓ Are products like doxycycline gels still relevant in periodontal therapy? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🔚 Ready to Level Up Your Dentistry Skills? If this episode helped clarify your approach to extractions, suturing, or periodontal care, don't stop here. 👉 Get your FREE RACE-approved CE course at https://ivdi.org/free 📩 Subscribe to stay updated with new clinical insights 💬 Drop your questions in the comments—we may feature them in a future episode! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ veterinary dentistry techniques, dog dental extraction tips, cat dental surgery sutures, infraorbital nerve veterinary dentistry, retained deciduous teeth extraction, veterinary dental flap design, periodontal regeneration dogs, hyaluronic acid dental veterinary, veterinary dental instruments sharpening, veterinary dentistry CE course, tooth resorption treatment dogs cats, veterinary oral surgery tips, bone graft veterinary dentistry