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Pet Dentistry FAQ
Q. What is periodontal disease?
A. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss. It involves the destruction of the gum tissue, ligaments, and bone, which support the teeth.
Q. What causes periodontal disease?
A. The major cause of periodontal disease is a buildup of plaque, a mixture of saliva and bacteria, which adheres to the teeth and mineralizes to form tartar. Inflammation of the gum tissue and bleeding allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Tartar must then be removed with a dental scaler above and below the gum line.
Q. How does periodontal disease affect my pet’s health?
A. Periodontal disease causes mouth odor, pain and eventual tooth loss. Much more serious consequences include infections resulting from bacteria entering the bloodstream. Many chronic diseases such as heart failure, kidney failure, respiratory problems and arthritis may originate from tooth decay.
Q. How do you clean my pet’s teeth?
A. Since animals will not generally sit still for the time and discomfort associated with a dental cleaning, anesthesia is required. An ultrasonic scaler, using water at very high speeds, is used to remove the tartar and plaque from the teeth. Sub-gingival cleaning is performed. Any teeth that cannot be saved due to infection, root exposure, or damage, are extracted. The teeth are then polished. A pain management injection is given if indicated. An antibiotic injection may be administered; oral antibiotics and/or pain relief medications may be dispensed for at home use as well.
Q. Are there risks associated with anesthesia?
A. Before your pet is anesthetized, a thorough physical examination and any necessary lab work will be performed. If any health problems exist, we will discuss them with you prior to the procedure. We use isoflurane gas, one of the safest inhalant anesthetic agents available. We also assess your pet’s heart rate, EKG, breathing rate, oxygen delivery, and temperature the entire time it is under anesthesia with our state-of-the-art monitoring equipment.
Q. What lab work is required to ensure the anesthetic safety of my pet?
A. We require blood tests to assess your pet’s liver and kidney function and blood counts, at the minimum. Other tests include blood sugar levels, protein levels, electrolytes, and other organ function tests. We also maintain your pet on intravenous fluids during the procedure to maximize safety.
Q. What can I do to avoid recurrence of dental disease in my pet?
A. Following the dental cleaning, prophylactic care at home using special animal toothpaste and a toothbrush will help maintain good oral hygiene. The use of special chews, treats, dental rinses, diets, and antibiotics may also help. We can discuss these issues with you at the time of your pet’s discharge from the hospital. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate speak with our medical staff.
Q. What is the cost of a dental procedure for my pet?
A. The cost of a dental prophylaxis treatment may vary widely, depending upon the animal’s size, age, and the condition of the teeth. A dental package includes general anesthesia, x-rays of the teeth, ultrasonic scaling and polishing of the teeth, recovery, an antibiotic injection, and pain management injections as indicated. Costs will average from about $400 to $600. Extractions are additional, and costs will vary, depending upon the number and difficulty. In conjunction with National Pet Dental Health Months, we offer a $45.00 credit on our basic dentals during the months of January, February, and March.