What can we do if your pet has dental problems?

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Once your pet has been diagnosed with a dental problem, we can begin to treat it.

Dental procedures can range from a simple scale and polish to extensive extractions depending on the condition of your pets’ teeth.

While dental procedures are routine, any procedure involving anaesthetic carries an amount of risk to the patient. It is important that you understand the level of safety and care that is necessary to provide your pet with the safest possible outcome.

Read more about a dental procedure here.

Dog with toy

Cleaning the teeth – a scale and polish – what is it?

Sometimes, to give your pet’s teeth a clean start, they may need to be scaled and polished.

Antibiotics will often be prescribed, to kill the plaque bacteria immediately before, during and after the clean. Anti-inflammatories and pain-relievers are also given where necessary.

Scaling of the plaque from the tooth is done with an ultrasonic scaler that vibrates and breaks up the tartar without damage to the tooth. All tooth surfaces are carefully scaled, both inside and out. After mechanical scaling is complete, hand scalers are used to complete the removal of plaque and tartar from below the gum line. This is termed root planing and subgingival curettage.

After scaling, the tooth can still have a rough surface that allows the re-attachment of plaque. This is where the polish comes it.  We have a variable speed dental polishing unit and use polishing paste that can restore a smooth healthy surface to the teeth, both above and below the gum line.

If your pet needs something more…extractions

Extractions are often required where the tooth cannot be saved. The tooth may be broken, the roots may be rotten, the enamel may be too badly eroded, or the gums, bones and other supporting structures may be too far gone to continue to support the tooth. Sometimes it is only possible to decide if a tooth can be saved after the tartar has been removed. Occasionally, whether to extract a tooth or try to save it may even be influenced by the owner’s ability or willingness to keep the teeth and gums clean at home. Where brushing at home is not possible, it may be better to extract a tooth to ensure the health of the rest of the mouth.

Other dental procedures we can do

Include:

  • Dental X-rays
  • Endodontics
  • Root canal treatments.

We can discuss these more advanced procedures and arrange a referral if necessary.