Stay Sharp - 3 Ideas for Better, Faster Animal Dental Procedures

Written by: Bonovate Ltd. 

For veterinarians, time can be the determining factor as to whether you can see an additional patient, complete another surgery, or even if there is a moment to eat lunch. Discovering methods to optimize time utilization can increase the efficiency and quality of care within your veterinary practice.

Dental potential

Dental surgery has the potential to provide meaningful returns in time through surgical efficiencies and new techniques.

"One area of veterinary practice that can get swept to the sideline is dental care. Dental surgery is the most common non-elective procedure in veterinary practice, but veterinarians are often provided with very limited specific training in this area," says Dr. Ivan Crotaz, BVetMed MRCVS, Director of Bonovate Ltd.

"These procedures represent a significant part of a vet's day. Implementing surgical efficiencies can make dental procedures 30-50% faster, by making surgery more precise and less forceful. This results in shorter anesthetics and less pain, improving the quality of life for both you and your patient."

Necessity breeds invention

With over 20 years of experience as a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Crotaz possesses a profound interest in addressing the challenges encountered during care provision and surgical procedures.

“All of the issues I tackle are ones that have personally affected my practice,” Dr. Crotaz explains. “I’ve encountered them firsthand. I noticed that conventional dental tools were often either blunt or became too thick after sharpening, rendering them ineffective for delicate procedures. This was a challenge I was determined to address.”

By closely collaborating with fellow veterinarians and industrial engineers, Dr. Crotaz pioneered the development of Dentanomic, a revolutionary system of thin-edged surgical instruments.

The concept was to integrate the benefits of modern manufacturing techniques into the production of dental surgical instruments. Crafting blades through machining enables the creation of exceptionally thin and sharp edges. Such precision allows the blade to penetrate deeply into the soft ligament between the tooth and bone. Operating on soft tissue in this manner can significantly expedite procedures compared to traditional instruments and techniques.

Here are three ways to increase the efficiency and quality of your dental procedures:

The significance of using a sharp instrument lies in its ability to have a thin edge, crucial for accessing the super narrow periodontal ligament (PDL) space, typically between 0.1 and 0.3 mm wide. Performing extractions without damaging the tooth root or inadvertently injuring the patient demands precise surgical technique and an edge capable of navigating the delicate soft tissue between the root and bone.

Blunt surgical instruments can pose several challenges:

• Inadequate cutting capabilites can prolong anesthesia unecessisarily, increasking the risk to animals
• Standard fixed blades often dull quickly and demand significant time, effort and expertise for proper sharpening, posing a substantial investment for practices
• Resharpening fixed blades can result in a significantly thicker cutting edge, complicating access to the narrow periodontal ligament (PDL) space

To overcome these challenges, Dr. Crotaz proposes the follwing solutions:

• Utilize ultra-thin, sharp blades designed to navigate the small periodontal spaces between the tooth and jaw
• Develop a blade system that facilitates easy replacement, ensuring surgical procedures are never performed with blunt instruments
• Provide comprehensive training to clinicians on the proper utilization of thin, sharp edges. Many clinicians are not adequately trained in elevation and luxation instrument techniques, which can be rectified with simple adjustments
• Implement a blade replacement schedule of approximately every three months. As the last half millimeter of the blade is crucial for effectiveness, regular replacement ensures optimal performance and represents a cost-effective measure

Dr. Crotaz and his team offer weekly live demonstrations on proper elevation and luxation techniques using Dentanomic instruments. In just an hour, you can acquire simple yet highly effective dental techniques that can significantly enhance your proficiency in dental surgery.

Say goodbye to blunt dental instruments forever

With the Dentanomic online re-order service, you’re in complete control. Simply set the frequency for blade replacements, and Dentanomic with automatically issue a purchase order to your chosen distributor, giving you total control over the process. You can easily adjust, delay, skip or cancel your reorder at any time, without any additional charges.

This means that you’ll receive fresh blades on a regular schedule, saving you administrative effort and time. With blades delivered at consistent intervals, you’ll always be equipped with sharp instruments for your procedures.

To minimize material waste and promote sustainability, each blade shipment includes return shipping for your used blades. All old blades are responsibly recycled, with the steel melted down for reuse.

Invest in yourself

As you assess strategies to enhance your practice, prioritize investing in your dental surgery capabilities. By equipping yourself with the right instruments and education, you can significantly boost surgical efficiency and reclaim valuable time in your day.

Interested in learning more?

To participate in a training session with the Dentanomic team or to find out more, visit www.dentanomic.com

Where do I find this?

Contact your MAI Animal Health Sales Representative for more information.