5 Veterinary Dentistry Cases Every Practice Should Know
Veterinary dental cases don’t always come with straightforward answers. A fractured tooth in a young dog, an oral mass that looks harmless, or a cat with chronic gingival inflammation can each raise important questions about diagnosis, treatment, pain management, and when referral is appropriate.
These cases are also opportunities for veterinary teams to sharpen clinical skills and broaden how they approach oral health.
The Pawsitive Veterinary Dentistry Podcast, hosted by Benita Altier, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), takes a case-based approach to veterinary dental education. Episodes feature conversations with veterinary dental specialists and experienced technicians, connecting evidence-based information with practical considerations teams encounter in everyday practice.
Let’s explore five complex dental topics and the clinical questions they raise.
1. Oral Masses in Dogs: Don’t Judge a Mass by Its Appearance
An oral mass can be concerning, but visual appearance alone doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. The important questions are:
- What is it?
- How extensive is it?
- Has it spread?
- What treatment options are available?
The Pawsitive Veterinary Dentistry episode “Oral Masses in Dogs: What Every Vet Needs to Know” features Dr. Stephanie Goldschmidt and explores the diagnostic and treatment process, including biopsy, imaging, staging, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, prognosis, and palliative care.
Clinical takeaway: Oral masses warrant thoughtful investigation rather than assumptions based solely on appearance. Knowing when advanced diagnostics or referrals are needed can help move from identification to a thoughtfully informed treatment plan.
2. Tooth Fractures in Young Dogs: Can the Tooth Be Saved?
A fractured tooth isn’t automatically an extraction, especially when the patient is young and the tooth is still developing.
In “Young Dogs & Tooth Fractures: Modern Treatment Options”, Dr. Sandra Manfra Marretta discusses topics like:
- Immature permanent teeth
- Vital pulp therapy
- Treatment decision-making
- Common clinical mistakes
- Factors that determine whether a fractured tooth can be preserved
Clinical takeaway: Age and tooth development matter when evaluating traumatic dental injuries. Recognizing which patients can benefit from tooth-preserving treatment helps veterinary teams make more informed recommendations.
3. Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis: Is Extraction the Only Answer?
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) can be especially challenging. Affected cats may experience significant oral inflammation and pain, and treatment can require difficult conversations with their caregivers.
The episode “Full Mouth Extractions for FCGS: Is It the Only Option?” examines the disease’s immune-mediated nature, why full- or near-full-mouth extractions are commonly recommended, and options for cats that continue to experience problems. It also explores emerging therapies and the potential for more individualized treatment approaches.
Treatment decisions should account for:
- The individual patient
- Disease severity
- Expected outcomes
- Client expectations
Clinical takeaway: Clear communication is central to managing these complex cases.
4. Cleft Palate Surgery: Managing a Complex Case From Start to Finish
Cleft palate repair in puppies and kittens requires more than just surgical technique. Each of these factors plays a role:
- Patient preparation
- Timing
- Imaging
- Anesthesia
- Pain management
- Postoperative evaluation
In “Complex Cases: Cleft Palate Surgery”, Dr. Kendall Taney walks through real cases and discusses everything from preparing young patients for surgery to using dental radiography and cone-beam CT for surgical planning and evaluating the repair afterward.
Clinical takeaway: Preparation and coordination across the veterinary team are just as important as the surgical intervention itself.
5. Regional Dental Anesthesia: Making Pain Management Part of the Plan
Pain management is essential to dental care, and regional nerve blocks can provide targeted analgesia during and after dental procedures.
“The Block Stops Here: Regional Dental Anesthesia and Leading Your Team” features Dr. Chris Snyder and discusses infraorbital and inferior alveolar nerve blocks, research surrounding local anesthetic duration, and how veterinary leaders can help their teams incorporate these techniques into practice.
Clinical takeaway: Knowing how to perform a nerve block is only part of it. Consistent training, communication, and team buy-in help make pain-control techniques part of routine dental care.
Putting Knowledge Into Practice
Each of these cases highlights a different aspect of comprehensive veterinary dental care—from recognizing when a simple finding warrants further investigation to knowing when advanced treatment or referral is best.
The common thread is looking beyond the obvious. Careful examination, thoughtful planning, effective pain management, and strong communication can all improve outcomes for dental patients.
Continuing to build confidence around these cases can help turn everyday dental procedures into opportunities for earlier diagnosis, more informed treatment decisions, and more comfortable patients.
What You Need to Know About Veterinary Wet Tables
Choosing the Best Wet Table for Your Vet Clinic
When outfitting your veterinary hospital, it’s easy to focus on big-ticket items like X-ray machines or surgical lighting. Still, one of the most versatile workhorses in your treatment area might be the wet table.
Whether you’re performing dentals, prepping for surgery, or managing messy wound care cases, a high-quality wet table can dramatically improve efficiency and sanitation.
If you’re planning a new hospital or updating your treatment space, here’s what you need to know about choosing the right veterinary wet table for your practice.
Why Do Wet Tables Matter?
Unlike a standard flat-top table, wet tables are designed to handle water, fluids, and debris during procedures. Think dental cleanings, wound irrigation, abscess flushes, or even messy dermatology cases.
Instead of creating a cleanup headache, everything flows straight into a drain, keeping the treatment area safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
Common Uses for Wet Tables include:
Dental cleanings and extractions
Wound care and flushing
Surgical prep (clipping, scrubbing)
Emergency triage (e.g., vomiting, trauma, or toxin exposure)
Post-op recovery and patient bathing (with optional faucet or sprayer attachments)
Imagine you have a Golden Retriever visit after a run-in with a porcupine - ouch! Your team uses the wet table to flush wounds, sedate and remove quills, and clean up—all without needing to transfer the patient to different surfaces. That’s workflow efficiency and patient comfort all in one.
Choosing the Right Size and Setup
Veterinary wet tables come in various sizes and configurations, so consider your caseload and available space carefully.
Most standard models are 60 to 72 inches long, which is perfect for medium to large dog breeds. If you primarily treat small animals or exotics, a smaller footprint may better suit your needs.
Installation Tip: Place your wet table in a central treatment area near dental X-ray systems, anesthesia machines, and surgical prep tools. Many hospitals find that locating it between the surgical suite and the main treatment floor maximizes efficiency.
Key Features to Look For
Plumbing Requirements: Make sure your space has the proper drainage, water hookups, and access for maintenance. Consult with your contractor or plumber early to avoid costly modifications later.
Workflow Integration: Consider how the wet table fits into your daily routines. Will it be used for dentals, pre-op, or wound care? Its location should minimize patient transfers and reduce bottlenecks in high-traffic areas.
Durability and Warranty: This table will see daily wear and tear. Look for tables with strong warranties, high-quality welds, and materials that resist rust.
Ergonomics for Staff: Adjustable-height models can help reduce technician fatigue and injury, especially during lengthy dental or wound management procedures.
Future Expansion: Select a model that can scale with your hospital's needs. Some wet tables are designed to accommodate add-ons, such as anesthesia arms, dental delivery systems, or storage cabinetry.
These considerations help ensure your investment meets both immediate clinical needs and long-term practice goals.
Other considerations include:
Stainless steel basin with sloped drainage
Integrated faucet/sprayer options
Restraint hooks or built-in grates for patient positioning
Under-table storage or cabinetry for dental supplies or prep tools
Compatibility with dental X-ray units or overhead lighting
Cost Considerations
Veterinary wet table prices can range from $3,000 to $ 8,000 or more, depending on size, materials, plumbing setup, and included accessories.
While it may be tempting to cut corners, this is a piece of equipment that will be used heavily daily. Investing in a high-quality table upfront means better durability, easier sanitation, and less downtime.
Don't forget to budget for installation, especially if plumbing connections or cabinetry modifications are needed.
A Small Upgrade with a Big Impact
Veterinary wet tables may not be the flashiest item in your hospital, but they play a crucial role in patient care and team efficiency.
The proper setup saves time, improves hygiene, and makes your technicians’ jobs easier—all while creating a more comfortable experience for the patients on the table.
Click here to see our price.
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How to Choose a Veterinary Surgery Suite Dental Table
A veterinary dental table supports one of the most important preventive health procedures in veterinary medicine—the dental procedure or COHAT (comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment).
Many estimates state that 75% or more of dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease by age three. So, there’s no doubt that many pets seen by small animal veterinarians can benefit from dental care.
The right dental equipment helps support this patient care goal, as well as contribute to a healthy business financially. This includes a veterinary dental table where procedures will be performed. Here are some factors to consider when investing in a good dental table…
Dental Suite Setup
First, it’s important to figure out where your dental table(s) will go.
A dental area is separate from a sterile surgery suite, since aerosolized bacteria from a dental cleaning makes it challenging to truly keep the room sterile for “clean” surgeries. However, it might be appropriate to perform other treatments and procedures on your dental table, such as lancing an abscess.
The dental table should be large enough to support your largest patients, but small enough that staff can move around it comfortably without being blocked by walls or equipment. Measure the space to make sure any table you order will fit.
In addition to simply measuring for a table, consider other equipment that will be inside the room, too. This includes anesthesia and dental machines and a saddle chair for team members performing the dental.
Veterinary Dental Table Features
To narrow down the search, consider which of the following features are most important to you and your staff…
A wet table versus a regular surgical table.
Many veterinary professionals like wet tables for dental procedures, since these tables, are naturally set up to collect all the fluids from dental tools and the patient’s mouth. However, this can require plumbing setups.
A veterinary surgery table is another viable option used at many clinics. With a regular table, it’s simply a matter of figuring out where fluids will drain. Some tables allow the attachment of grates or table extenders for this purpose, as well as a bucket strategically connected to the table under the patient’s head.
Adjustability
This is the most important consideration for many veterinarians, especially concerning height modifications.
Height adjustments are important for ergonomics, allowing team members to sit or stand at an appropriate height without hunching and hurting their backs. Additionally, tilting ability can greatly help with fluid drainage off the table.
There are both wet and traditional tables with height-changing capabilities. But tilt is generally limited to regular veterinary surgery tables.
Extras
While not always as crucial in the purchasing decision, it might also be nice to have features such as table warming for the patient, V-top for patient positioning, table attachments, or portability for needs such as transporting the patient to a recovery area.
These preferences vary between practitioners. But be sure to add them to your list if they would help your hospital flow and procedures.
Financial Considerations
Comparing costs doesn’t always mean comparing apples to apples. In addition to the actual purchase cost, consider the following financial factors that could impact your practice’s bottom line…
If features are comparable between the tables.
If the installation is included.
Financing options.
Which (if any) warranties or service plans are included?
Tax benefits from your equipment purchase.
A financial plan for maximizing the ROI on your veterinary dental table investment. In other words, is there a plan to increase the number of dentals at the practice, and how will this be implemented? A business or financial consultant familiar with veterinary hospitals could help with this.
Purchasing Your Veterinary Dental Table
Always do your due diligence. Ask colleagues for recommendations (and things to avoid based on their experience). Besides the table itself, see what service and repairs were like—whether they went smoothly or were a headache.
Doing a bit of research—combined with knowing what works best in your dental suite, choosing specific features, and planning financially—can all help ensure your dental table will be a good investment in both patient care and practice success.
Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM