Episode 175 - Periapical Lucency vs Abscess in Dogs: Treatment Tips & Safe Dental Practices

Start your journey to excellence in veterinary dentistry!
Request your invitation to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program at: https://ivdi.org/inv
Gain hands-on training, evidence-based protocols, and the confidence to deliver superior dental care.

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Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Welcome Back to The Vet Dental Show!
This week, we’re featuring a special episode packed with clinical pearls from past content that remains highly relevant for everyday practice. Whether you're a veterinarian or a technician, you'll gain practical insights to elevate your dental care standards.

On this episode, Dr. Brett Beckman, a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist, addresses essential questions from veterinary professionals about periapical lucency, abscesses, safe dental toys, digital radiography techniques, and patient monitoring during dental procedures.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The clinical difference between periapical lucency and an abscess
✅ Best practices for treating infected fourth premolars
✅ When and why to use antibiotics in dental extractions
✅ Tips for effective dental radiography in small dogs
✅ Safe and unsafe chew toys for dental health
✅ How to monitor anesthetized patients during radiography
✅ Where to source quality cadaver heads for training
✅ Intubation techniques for small-statured practitioners

Key Veterinary Dentistry Takeaways:
✅ Periapical lucency signifies bone loss without active pus drainage; abscesses involve active infection
✅ Extraction and thorough debridement are essential for both conditions
✅ Antibiotics are reserved for cases with active infection or facial wounds
✅ Sensor size limitations can be overcome with strategic tube head positioning
✅ Avoid hard chews like antlers and Nylabones; opt for KONGs and VOHC-approved items
✅ Monitoring can begin with minimal setup and ramp up as the procedure progresses
✅ Solo intubation is viable with good positioning and visibility techniques

Final Call to Action and Resource Links:
Start your journey to excellence in veterinary dentistry!
Request your invitation to the Veterinary Dental Practitioner Program at: https://ivdi.org/inv

For more in-depth training, visit: https://www.veterinarydentistry.net

Questions or insights? Drop them in the comments!

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