Strategies for Tooth Extraction: Planning and Flexibility

I know some of our colleagues who have completely lost confidence in extractions and they are crippled by the thought of failure or having to 'start a surgical'. I think being good at exodontia is fundamental for successful Dentists and it was my mission to bring on Oral Surgeon Chris Waith who will help you regain your confidence. The secret, we think, lies in your ability to section and elevate roots! Listen or watch now to find out why - guest featuring Dr Zak Kara! https://youtu.be/UeTx84dzUQI Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below! Protrusive Dental Pearl: Be able to section teeth. If you can learn how to section roots and know WHEN to do it and HOW to do it safely, you will dramatically increase your success rate for dental extractions. “I always say to Dentists that you should have a plan A, plan B, plan C etc. Don't just go in with plan A and carry on with it..” - Dr Chris Waith Dr Chris Waith and Dr Zak Kara are here to join help us in stepping up our extractions game. In this episode, we discussed: Clinical and Radiographic features of tooth that need reassessment - what makes it a 'difficult extraction'? (13:46)How to make sure that your patient is on board - communication skills for oral surgery (20:23)Importance of positive conversation to surgery patients (21:06)When to and when not to section a tooth during extractions (29:31)GDPs not sectioning due to lack of equipment and how to overcome this (32:14)Advice on sectioning teeth technique (41:15)Is the inter-furcal bone important? Or can we drill it away? (50:08:) Check out Dr Chris Waith’s oral surgery course.  If you enjoyed this episode, check out Why and how you need to Improve your Tooth Morphology – PDP046 Click below for full episode transcript:  Opening Snippet: Because I've had lots of painful and embarrassing experiences in the past which made me realize I need to skill up and the number one thing i found is that when i started to section teeth that's when extractions became much more predictable for me. That's when i managed to really gain a lot of confidence in extractions, the ability to section... Jaz' Introduction: So guys one evening in Singapore as you guys know i used to work in Singapore and it's a fascinating country and a brilliant dental system and the interesting thing about it is that sometimes I'd start my shift at 9:00 a.m and finish my shift at 9:00 pm. Now i know that sounds really crazy like oh my god you're overworking, you're going to burn out kind of thing but it really didn't feel like that. The busy periods were like the morning session and the evening session and the afternoon session was almost like a siesta you know you can go to sleep, you can have some dim sum, you can go out for an extended lunch, I can go with my wife. It was a cool experience you know and it wasn't very stressful at all. I really enjoyed working in Singapore. Now the fascinating thing is that one day I finished my shift at 9 00 pm and i was getting on their mrt, their train system back home and i was just walking to my apartment i had these famous noodles with me and they were hot and ready to eat and i was so excited to go home and actually devour these noodles right but here's the thing right? You guys might know that my wife is also a dentist and as I'm walking up to my flat, I'm getting, I got a call from my wife and she says 'Jaz i need your help.’ I'm like ‘What do you mean would you need my help? What's wrong? What happened? It's like it's past nine o'clock. Why are you even still at surgery.' right? She goes, ‘Well I kind of started this extraction at 8 30 and this tooth is not moving like I cannot remove this tooth, can you please rescue me? Now in my past as a DF1 as a young dentist, I've been rescued a few times, okay? It's always embarrassing in a way to ask for help but it's always like it's something that you just you know when you're struggling with an extraction,