Veterinary Dentistry: Alternatives to Dental Extractions

Kris Bannon, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, veterinary dentist at Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery of New Mexico, LLC., talks about some alternatives to teeth extractions.

There are 3 common problems that veterinary dentists deal with where extractions are possible options—broken teeth, periodontal disease, and teeth in the wrong location. When dealing with broken teeth, veterinary dentists can choose to perform a root canal instead of extraction. When dealing with periodontal disease, guided tissue regeneration can sometimes be used to help the ligament regenerate around the diseased tooth instead of extraction. And when dealing with teeth that are in the wrong place and causing pain, veterinary dentists can choose to realign these teeth with braces instead of extraction.