BASIC EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW

Dr Rod Salter BVSc MACVSc (Veterinary Dentistry)

Melbourne Veterinary Referral Centre
70 Blackburn Rd Glen Waverley 3150

Abstract:

A plethora of pathology affects the oral cavity. To offer a complete Veterinary Dental service
numerous disciplines are involved. Catalogues offer a bewildering array of equipment of
equipment and supplies. This presentation provides an awareness of these disciplines and
what, in essence, is required to perform “all matters dental”. You may not wish to acquire it
all at once but with this lecture you will have an awareness of the big picture – from here you
can pick and choose the elements you wish to cover initially.

This is a checklist presentation from a practitioner, for practitioners who wish to

establish ( or expand ) a veterinary dentistry department in their own general practice.

The obvious response to the above sentence is “why bother”. I have found that in both a
general practice scenario and a referral centre, Veterinary Dentistry is fulfilling, challenging
and satisfying. Most importantly we have the skills, the information and the technology to
change DENIAL into DENTAL.

To coin a phrase – it’s a win, win, win situation. The pet benefits through better health and
function. The owner has a happier, healthier pet. The vet benefits through a job properly and
expertly done. Dentistry is undoubtedly a profitable exercise, whose returns compare most
favourably with all other aspects of practice. I would suggest to not bother is at least an
inefficient use of a practice and probably is negligence.

The entire field of veterinary dentistry can appear complex and bewildering, thus to simplify
the decision making as to what to get and why, the “field” has been dissected into
components.
There is an almost never ending array of instruments, materials and equipment. In this
lecture, I will present my choices and experiences. I would suggest the real value of this
presentation is the checklist – use it to catalogue your clinics inventory, and from this to
determine what deficiencies you have. Filling these deficiencies should enable a high quality
of Veterinary Dentistry to be performed in an efficient, profitable practice

These components should be of most importance to the general practitioner

•GENERAL EQUIPMENT
•ORAL EXAMINATION
•RADIOLOGY
•PERIODONTOLOGY / PROPHYLAXIS
•ORAL SURGERY
The remaining disciplines are included for completeness sake. In some cases you may
initially elect to refer cases in these disciplines however they are areas for future expansion
of any practice. My personal choice was to become involved in these areas once I was full
kitted up for ( and comfortable with ) the above five areas.

•RESTORATIVE
•ENDODONTICS
•ORTHODONTICS
1. GENERAL EQUIPMENT
Unless you are commencing a new practice, your building, and consulting rooms are
established. A significant amount of “selling” Veterinary Dentistry occurs here but that is a
topic for another lecture.

Your dental operatory is where you perform Veterinary Dentistry. It may be in a dedicated
area or as part of a multi purpose room. It should be comfortable and as spacious as
possible. Ensure appropriate drainage with a purpose built table and grid or absorb water
via towels etc

The dental base is the biggest investment. We purchased a second hand unit from a
Dental wholesaler after determining the costs / benefits of new versus used units. Important
– ensure after sales service is readily available

HANDPIECES
• high speed - a work horse
• get a good one and it will last
• fibreoptics is nice but necessary ???
• slow speed - air motor + contra angle plus multiple extras
• Prophy angle
• Latch head ( for endo )
• Straight nose cone ( for ortho )

LUBRICANTS !!!!
• Lubricate both hand pieces daily

BURS - Multiple types

• Tip – buy an introduction pack (s) – and then with experience, reorder
• specific / preferred burrs
• Burr changing tool – type depends on your handpieces

EQUIPMENT YOU ALREADY HAVE

• Anaesthetic machine – I prefer Isoflurane
• Apnoea monitor
• Pulse oximeter
COMFORTABLE WORK PLACE
• The bench at your height
• A comfortable chair for you and your assistant

DENTAL MODELS
• Many available – I prefer those with clear acrylic and removable teeth AND with
pathology demonstrated

INSTRUMENT SHARPENING Via WHEEL / STONES

• Sharpen regularly

2. ORAL EXAMINATION

• EXAMINATION MIRRORS
• MAGNIFICATION - 3X
I find these make precision work much easier
• LIGHTING
This is probably a given in an established practice
It should be retractable and a cool light
• MOUTH GAGS
The flexible ones are an extra pair of hands for tongue retraction, positioning Xrays etc
• CAMERAS
SLR ( ideally with a macro lens and ringflash ) and / or digital
Have them available or !!!!

3. RADIOLOGY

Dental Radiology can be performed with a general Xray unit but a Dental unit is
superior.

DENTAL XRAY UNIT

• Mobile or wall mounted – better as they are cumbersome
• The second biggest investment – and profit centre !!
• Fixed KV and Ma – time is the variable
• Long cone – short cone
• Safety distance and equipment
• Check state licensing laws
• Readily available second hand from dentists / dental wholesalers

CHAIRSIDE DEVELOPER
• Dentistry needs lots of Xrays – this is the quickest and most convenient
DENTAL XRAY –FILMS, HANDLING, ID & STORAGE
• #2 and 4
• Cheap !!!
• Film clips for handling
• Store in envelopes / bank $ bags

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Nothing specifically extra for dentistry

VIEWING BOX
• A hot light is great – as X - rays are small
• View with magnification
• Ideally a horizontal viewing box – can lay multiple X - rays flat

RAPID CHEMISTRY CHEMICALS

• Cheap and quick ( 1 minute )
• From photographic labs
• Or ordinary developer / fixer
• Automatic processor – tape to a lead film
• Dental automatic processor – expensive
• Digital X – ray

4. PERIODONTOLOGY / PROPHYLAXIS

(MECHANICAL) SCALERS are either

- ULTRASONIC or
- SONIC

ULTRASONIC scalers
• The most popular choice – because they’re the quickest - care with their power
• If possible INCORPORATE the unit INTO the DENTAL BASE
• Great features to aim for ( use a plumber and electrician)
• BUILT IN WATER & AIR LINES
• Safe ELECTRICITY source – as NEAR WATER
• REMOTE AIR COMPRESSOR ( eg in the roof space )
• EXTERNAL VENTING
• If possible have a BACK UP UNIT - attaches to dental base power & water or
separate supplies (eg for Zoo work)

MAGNETOSTRICTIVE OR PIEZOELECTRIC OR ODONTOSON !!

SONIC
• Most dental bases have a triplex plus 3 airlines – h/s, l/s and sonic
 • Gentle but slow
• You only need to buy a handpiece

HAND SCALERS (above) & CURETTES (below the gums)

see your wholesaler – plethora of types buy an introductory perio kit
• the micro scalers / curettes are great for cats /toy breed dogs
• buy several
• keep them sharp

PERIODONTAL EXPLORERS & PROBES

• use them in a consultation and in an oral examination under GA

FLUORIDE PRODUCTS
• gels-post prophy
• Bifluorid ( VOCO )
• long acting fluoride paint – anectodally – great for early FORL’s !!

PROPHY / POLISHING PASTE

• big tubs / little tubs – these aren’t expensive !! but
• use sparingly - excess flies off

POLISHING ( PROPHY ) ANGLES and CUPS

• Snap on ( or screw on )
• Cheap but don’t use forever !!

PERIODONTAL TREATMENT / SURGERY PRODUCTS

• Perioglas / Consil is used for bone replacement in deep perio pockets
• Doxyrobe ( the newest ) – for local AB treatment of deep perio products

DENTAL CHARTS
• dogs ,cats, guinea pigs
• pads or electronic ( PU )

HOME CARE PRODUCTS

• Tooth brushes ( electric / hand ), chewable treats, dental chewable “toys”, POD pads,
“Maxiguard”, TD diet, dental hand outs
• Dedicated dental care section of waiting room display

5. ORAL SURGERY

EXTRACTION FORCEPS
• Needed but use carefully and as the last tool
CALCULUS REMOVAL FORCEPS
• Designed for bulk calculus removal

ELEVATORS
• Multiple sizes and types including the curved Fahrenkrug’s
• Winged elevators are the latest
• Need to be kept sharp

COUPLANDS / LUXATORS
• Use these as the major tool for tooth extraction
• Keep them sharp

PERIOSTEAL ELEVATORS
• Variety of shapes /sizes
• Orthopaedic tool also

CURETTES
• Bone curettes – left and right

RONGEURS
• I have these but really don’t use them very much
• They’re probably not needed if you have a HS handpiece – it has better control

ORAL SURGERY KITS

• routine suture kits / materials PLUS some specials / extras
• small instruments - needle drivers, forceps, scissors
• the confines of the oral cavity make these a bonus
• wire - othodontic & surgical uses
• acrylic ( eg Protemp Garant ) – another option for # repair
• suture materials – many choices; Monocryl (4/0) is easy to use & non irritant

LOCAL ANAESTHESIA EQUIPMENT

• Specific dental ( aspirating ) syringes and needles are robust and effective
• Choice of Xylocaine or Bupivicaine
• Great analgesia

The remaining sections are included for guidance. Each discipline is significant and has its
own check list of equipment, material and supplies. I have attempted to simplify each
discipline using this or a similar framework.

6. RESTORATIVE
MATERIALS
The basic categories of restoratives are:
 Amalgam
 Glass Ionomers
 Composite – including flowable composites

EQUIPMENT
The above materials can be all mixed and used by hand but this is made easier, more
precise and quicker via the use of an Amalgamator and a light curing machine.

Miscellaneous items of note include acid etches for preparing the tooth surface and mixing
pads for material preparation

INSTRUMENTS
Placement of fillings may seem easy but in a confined space and to do it precisely requires:
- Explorers
- Scoops
- Condensers
- Excavators
- Carvers
- Mixers

Once placed a filling needs to be polished – so that it is non plaque retentive and
aesthetically appealing

RUBBER BASE IMPRESSION MATERIALS

These could also be listed under orthodontics
They’re included here as they form the prerequisite for a dental model for a crown

7. ENDODONTICS

This can be a complex discipline. Think of it as an abscess treatment – in this case of the
tooth. The stages we need to proceed through are:
a. OPENING & CLEANING THE CANAL
• Gates Glidden help to open the canal
• Files clean the canal

b FLUSH THE CANAL

• NaHOCl + EDTA are used to flush the organic and inorganic debris from the prepared
canal

c. FILL THE CANAL

 • An inert rubber material ( Gutta Percha ) and an apical sealant are used ( eg Zinc
Oxide Eugenol

CALCIUM HYDROXIDE PRODUCTS

These are mentioned separately and specifically for their relevance to Vital Pulpotomy – a
very practitioner friendly technique

8. ORTHODONTICS

Another large but fascinating discipline. Tooth movement requires planning and the use of
hardware.
a. MAKING IMPRESSIONS
In a bowl with an alginate that’s placed in an impression tray
Bite registration confirms the occlusion of maxilla to mandible.

b. MAKING MODELS
Stone models are the next step – they allow study and planning and the fabrication of
appliances

c. MAKING APPLIANCES
Jet acrylic is convenient and easy. It may require wire reinforcement and trimming /
smoothing, adjusting

d. APPLIANCES USING ACTIVE FORCE - BRACKETS AND ELASTICS

where the case requires constant force, brackets and elastics (power chain) are used.
These need to be positioned and cemented

SUMMARY

IT IS WORTHWHILE
START SMALL AND BUILD UP