When it's necessary to extract strategic canine teeth

In an interview with dvm360, Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, veterinary dental specialist and senior pet advocate at Southern Veterinary Partners in Boerne, Texas, discussed her recent session, "How to Extract Strategic Teeth in Canine Patients," presented alongside Jessica Johnson, DVM, DAVDC, at the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in late September 2024.

During the interview, Lobprise explained the reasons why extraction of strategic teeth might be necessary in a patient. She also touched on some concerns pet owners might have over the procedure in older pets with underlying conditions, and ensured them that the procedure can be life-changing.

Below is a partial transcript

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC: So, we certainly look at the tooth, the amount of damage that's there, whether it's a broken tooth with an open canal, or if it has periodontal disease that's taken out some of the bone around that tooth, making it unstable. Usually, when we look at periodontal disease greater than 50% we're going to talk about extracting. And if we have a tooth that has a compromised pulp, either the pulp canal is open or it's discolored, and we know the pulp is dead, then that means either extraction or root canal. And for various reasons, access to a diplomate who can do a root canal, even the cost, that can make a difference.

Even beyond the tooth, though, we look at the patient. So, most of these dental conditions cause chronic inflammation in the pet, not just the infection, but the chronic inflammation, and this really impacts our systemic health. So, if we have an older pet that has cardiac disease or renal disease, or anything like that, I would rather extract the tooth and get rid of that chronic inflammation infection and make the pet healthier, versus doing fancy periodontal work or root canal just to preserve the tooth itself.