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
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Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
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What You'll Learn in This Episode
๐ฏ How to decide between open and closed root planing
๐ฏ Why bleeding on probing can be more important than probing depth alone
๐ฏ How large a flap should be for open root planing and curettage
๐ฏ Why periodontal root planing is rarely indicated in cats
๐ฏ When small periodontal defects may not require a bone graft
๐ฏ Which canine periodontal defects may be candidates for root planing and regenerative therapy
๐ฏ How the mucogingival line influences whether a periodontal defect can be treated
๐ฏ What apical root resorption can indicate about tooth vitality
๐ฏ Why converging or fused roots do not automatically mean extraction
๐ฏ When dentigerous and maxillary cysts should be referred to a veterinary dental specialist
Key Veterinary Dentistry Takeaways
๐ The decision between open and closed root planing is driven primarily by whether the periodontal defect involves bone or soft tissueโnot simply by probing depth.
๐ Bleeding on probing, particularly alongside marginal gingivitis, is an important indicator of active periodontal inflammation.
๐ Open root planing flaps should be extended only as far as necessary to adequately visualize and clean the periodontal defect.
๐ Periodontal therapy in cats has limited indications because of their thin attached gingiva, although select early canine-tooth lesions may be candidates.
๐ Small periodontal defects may be managed without a bone graft, while larger defects may require additional regenerative therapy.
๐ Gingival recession extending beyond the mucogingival line can significantly limit treatment options for canine teeth.
๐ Root resorption involving the apex can indicate loss of tooth vitality, while resorption elsewhere does not necessarily mean the tooth is non-vital.
๐ Root convergence or fusion alone is not automatically an indication for extraction.
๐ Complex dentigerous or maxillary cysts can be difficult to completely remove and may require specialist expertise.
Questions This Episode Answers
โ When should veterinarians perform open versus closed root planing?
โ Is there a probing depth that determines when open root planing is necessary?
โ Why does bleeding on periodontal probing matter?
โ How large should a periodontal flap be for open root planing?
โ Can root planing and curettage be performed in cats?
โ When should a bone graft be used for periodontal defects?
โ Can periodontal therapy save a canine tooth with gingival recession?
โ Are teeth with resorbing roots always non-vital?
โ Do converging tooth roots always require extraction?
โ How do you know when a dentigerous cyst has been completely removed?
โ When should cystic lesions be referred to a veterinary dental specialist?
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Ready to take your dentistry skills further?
๐ FREE RACE-Approved CE Course
https://ivdi.org/free
๐ฆท Live & Online Veterinary Dental Courses
https://veterinarydentistry.net/
๐ ๏ธ Dr. Brett's Trusted Equipment & Instruments
https://drbrettspets.com/
๐ป Save $300 on The Definitive Veterinary Extraction Protocol โ offer ends Sunday:
https://ivdi.org/extract
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