Surgical tooth extraction in cats and dogs. Part 2: dental extraction techniques

Background: Considering over 80 per cent of canine and feline patients over the age of three years have dental disease (Kortegaard and others 2008), dental extractions are undoubtedly some of the most commonly performed surgeries in first-opinion practice. Yet, general knowledge and confidence with regards to these procedures is often lacking, resulting in veterinary dentistry having an undeserved reputation for being difficult and unrewarding. However, with the correct knowledge, a basic set of instruments and proper techniques it can quickly become a much more straightforward and immensely rewarding task.

Aim of the article: This two-part series provides readers with the tools needed to perform extractions successfully. Part one, published in the previous issue of In Practice, reviewed clinical anatomy, dental instrumentation and the basic principles of exodontics, while this article will focus on extraction techniques.