Dental Surgery

Signs of dental disease can include bad breath, red or bleeding gums, difficulty eating, dropping food, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, loose teeth, or visible tartar buildup. However, many pets show very few signs until dental disease has become advanced. Regular dental examinations allow us to detect problems early and recommend treatment before they become more painful or serious.

Your pet's dental procedure begins with a comprehensive oral examination under general anesthesia. We perform a professional dental cleaning above and below the gumline, where harmful bacteria accumulate. Dental X-rays may also be recommended to evaluate the health of the teeth and surrounding bone below the surface. If damaged, infected, or painful teeth are identified, extractions may be recommended to restore your pet's comfort and oral health.

Yes. General anesthesia is required for a complete and safe dental procedure. It allows us to thoroughly examine every tooth, perform dental X-rays if needed, clean below the gumline, and complete any necessary treatments while keeping your pet comfortable and stress-free.

Yes. Your pet's safety is our highest priority. Before anesthesia, we'll perform a physical examination and may recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure. Throughout the dental surgery, your pet is closely monitored by our experienced veterinary team, and comprehensive pain management is provided to keep them comfortable before, during, and after treatment.

Not every dental procedure requires extractions. If a tooth is severely infected, fractured, loose, or causing pain, removing it is often the best way to improve your pet's comfort and prevent ongoing infection. We'll carefully assess your pet's mouth during the procedure and discuss our recommendations with you if extractions are necessary.

Most pets recover from anesthesia within the same day and are back to their normal routine within 24 to 48 hours. If tooth extractions are performed, your pet may need soft food and pain medication for several days while the mouth heals. We'll provide detailed home care instructions to support a smooth recovery.

Home dental care plays an important role in preventing future dental disease. Regular tooth brushing, veterinary-approved dental chews or diets, and routine dental examinations can help reduce plaque buildup and keep your pet's mouth healthy. We'll recommend a home care plan that's appropriate for your pet's age and oral health.

We recommend including an oral examination as part of your pet's annual wellness visit. Some pets, particularly senior pets or certain breeds that are more prone to dental disease, may benefit from more frequent dental assessments. Regular examinations help us identify problems early, often before your pet shows obvious signs of discomfort.