Periodontal disease with > 50 % attachment loss is likely the most common indicator for tooth extraction. Mobility is often present and associated with substantial periodontal attachment loss. However, the absence of mobility does not rule out progressive periodontal disease. Intrinsically stained teeth are non-vital in up to 92.2 % of discolored teeth. 1 Trauma can result in crown fractures with endodontic involvement. Carious disease can extend into the pulp cavity. Carious lesions commonly occur in maxillary molar teeth. 2 When endodontic treatment is not a viable option for these insults or is declined by the pet owner, extraction is indicated.It is mandatory that dental radiographs be taken prior to performing a surgical extraction. The information gained from dental radiographs will provide the surgeon a wealth of vital information regarding the condition of surrounding alveolar bone, the presence of ankylosis, and variations in root anatomy (Fig. 1). Exodontia of both maxillary molar teeth will often be indicated, but it is not uncommon for just the first molar tooth to be removed or the second molar tooth to be already extracted or missing.Regional anesthesia should be performed to aid intra-and postoperative analgesia and decrease the amounts of other anesthetic agents needed for the procedure, particularly inhalant anesthetics. The caudal superior alveolar nerve innervates the maxillary molar teeth. It is a branch of the infraorbital nerve prior to its entrance into the caudal aspect of the infraorbital canal. Multiple regional anesthesia techniques exist that will affect maxillary molar tooth sensation. The scope of this article does not allow discussion of these techniques, but the reader is referred to sources that provide a detailed review. [3][4][5] Extraction of the maxillary molar teeth in the canine is frequently performed in veterinary dentistry. Extraction of these teeth can be quite challenging and is commonly associated with potential complications. 6,7 Appropriate surgical technique is vital for their successful extraction.The anatomic location of the maxillary molar teeth makes visualization and access to the area challenging. The first molar tooth is always larger than the second molar tooth. They each have 3 diverging roots in a tripod configuration that lie within the maxillary bone in close proximity to the ventral orbit. 6,8 The palatal root, though wider, is shorter than the buccal roots. 9 The caudal maxillary arcade extends between the third maxillary premolar and second molar teeth. This arch is more drastic in brachycephalic breeds. In the author's opinion, this anatomic variation makes visualization and access to the maxillary molar teeth more challenging in brachycephalic breeds (Fig. 2).Indications for exodontia of the maxillary molar teeth are numerous and the decision to extract is not always clear-cut. A complete oral examination with dental radiographs is mandatory to determine if exodontia is appropriate. Prior to performing extraction, the veterinarian should endeavor to...

This article reviews the historical development, properties, and trends of nickel titanium rotary instrumentation use for the veterinary endodontist.