Upper Right Canine Tooth Extraction Followed by a Gingival Flap Repair

This oral view is from an Italian Greyhound dog that is in for a dental cleaning and an overall dental health assessment which is included in every dental prophy.   4165

This oral view is from an Italian Greyhound dog that is in for a dental cleaning and an overall dental health assessment which is included in every dental prophy at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital. Probing of the teeth with a dental probe showed a deep pocket in the gum behind the tooth which is always suspicious for a dental abscess or other tooth root disease.

A radiograph was taken which confirmed the doctor’s suspicion of an abscess. On a radiograph (x-ray) dental abscesses show up as a dark area of bone lucency at the base of the tooth root. (arrow)

A radiograph was taken which confirmed the doctor’s suspicion of an abscess. On a radiograph (x-ray) dental abscesses show up as a dark area of bone lucency at the base of the tooth root. (arrow)

A decision to extract this diseased tooth has been made and here Dr. Fisher uses a scalpel to incise the gum above the tooth.

A decision to extract this diseased tooth has been made and here Dr. Fisher uses a scalpel to incise the gum above the tooth

After the gum tissue is incised around the tooth a pair of dean scissors is used to help cut edges so a gingival (gum) flap can be cleanly created.

After the gum tissue is incised around the tooth a pair of dean scissors is used to help cut edges so a gingival (gum) flap can be cleanly created.

Next a freer elevator is used to raise the gingival flap created in the previous two steps. This exposes the underlying bone covering the tooth root.

Next a freer elevator is used to raise the gingival flap created in the previous two steps. This exposes the underlying bone covering the tooth root.

The exposed bone is gently removed over the outside aspect of the tooth root using a high speed dental drill as seen here. This allows for easier tooth extraction with minimal patient trauma.

The exposed bone is gently removed over the outside aspect of the tooth root using a high speed dental drill as seen here. This allows for easier tooth extraction with minimal patient trauma.

Next a dental elevator is used to further loosen the tooth root and the tooth is removed.

Next a dental elevator is used to further loosen the tooth root and the tooth is removed.

After the tooth is removed a fairly large hole (tooth socket) is left. This is packed with a hemostatic sponge called Vetspon®, that helps control minor bleeding. Here Dr Fisher begins to suture the previously created gingival flap over the tooth socket.

After the tooth is removed a fairly large hole (tooth socket) is left. This is packed with a hemostatic sponge called Vetspon®, that helps control minor bleeding. Here Dr Fisher begins to suture the previously created gingival flap over the tooth socket.

The completed flap shows how the previously large and exposed tooth socket is covered with a neat flap of gum tissue which will adhere and prevent food material from collecting in an open socket.

The completed flap shows how the previously large and exposed tooth socket is covered with a neat flap of gum tissue which will adhere and prevent food material from collecting in an open socket, thus preventing infection down the road. The suture used here is a new formulation that has an antibacterial substance, triclosan, impregnated within the suture. This is slowly released over time as the suture dissolves and, as a result, helps control local infection. Cool stuff!