title: Applied feline oral anatomy and tooth extraction techniques: an illustrated guide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in small animal practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This review is intended to familiarize both the general and referral practitioner with feline oral anatomy and tooth extraction techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tooth extraction is predominantly performed in cats with tooth resorption, chronic gingivostomatitis and periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The basic contents of a feline tooth extraction kit are explained.
  
  
  METHODS
  The guidance contained within this review is based on a combination of the published literature, the authors' personal experience and the experience of colleagues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA reiter@vet.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Soltero-Rivera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D009055:Mouth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*