Applied feline oral anatomy and tooth extraction techniques: an illustrated guide.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in small animal practice.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES: The clinician must be familiar with normal oral anatomy, utilize nomenclature accepted in dentistry and oral surgery, use the modified Triadan system for numbering teeth, identify normal structures on a dental radiograph, understand the tissues that hold the teeth in the jaws, know the biomechanical principles of tooth extraction, be able to choose the most appropriate instrument for removal of a tooth, extract teeth using closed and open techniques, and create tension-free flaps for closure of extraction sites.

AUDIENCE: This review is intended to familiarize both the general and referral practitioner with feline oral anatomy and tooth extraction techniques.

PATIENT GROUP: Tooth extraction is predominantly performed in cats with tooth resorption, chronic gingivostomatitis and periodontal disease.

EQUIPMENT: The basic contents of a feline tooth extraction kit are explained.

EVIDENCE BASE: The guidance contained within this review is based on a combination of the published literature, the authors' personal experience and the experience of colleagues.