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Dentistry
We
offer the following dental services:
We encourage pet owners
to acknowledge the importance of dental
care! A healthy mouth is a happy
mouth! The mouth is also a mirror of
the entire body. All pets can benefit from
regular home dental care in combination with
professional care from a veterinarian.
Studies from the
American Veterinary Dental Society show
that 80% of all dogs and 70% of all cats
have signs of periodontal disease by age
three. Pets with dental disease can
suffer from bad breath, gingivitis, gum
recession, infection, pain, and tooth loss.
In severe cases, the inflammation and
infection can spread to vital organs such as
the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys, causing
damage and illness. We can help you to
create a dental care regimen to keep your
pet smiling for many years to come!
What is your
cat's dental grade?
What is your
dog's dental grade?
Dental Links
What is a dental prophy?
A complete dental prophy
involves many steps...
-
Anesthesia is administered through an
I.V. catheter.
-
An
endotracheal tube is placed in your
pet's trachea so gas anesthesia can be administered and the airway is kept free
of debris.
-
An
oral exam is performed in your pet's mouth.
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The
entire mouth and any abnormalities are
charted and recorded.
-
I.V.
fluids are administered throughout the
procedure.
-
The
gums around the teeth are probed for
periodontal pocket depth.
-
Large
deposits of tartar are chipped off.
-
The
teeth are scaled with an ultrasonic
scaler. The ultrasonic vibrations
loosen tartar without harming the teeth.
-
The
tooth surface above the gum is scaled
and made smooth.
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The
teeth are polished to repair any
microscopic defects in the enamel and
leave the surface smooth.
-
The
teeth are rinsed with an antiseptic
fluid above and below the gum line.
-
Fluoride foam is applied to the teeth to
seal and protect the enamel.
-
Your
pet goes home with a new smile!
Will my pet have
to stay overnight?
In most cases, your pet
will be able to go home on the same day as
his/her procedure. Sometimes an
extended procedure may require an overnight
stay. We will keep you well informed
of your pet's status, and let you know if we
would prefer to keep your pet for
observation.
Does my pet need to have
anesthesia?
Yes. It is
impossible to examine and treat your pet's
mouth without his/her cooperation for a
procedure he/she does not understand.
Even the best behaved pets must have general
anesthesia. Dental instruments can be
sharp, and the slightest movement could
cause damage to your pet's mouth. Or
your pet could unintentionally hurt a
staff member by reacting to work being done
in the mouth. In addition, scaling
below the gum line is the most important
part of the procedure. Failure to remove the
bacteria that lives below the gums
eliminates any medical benefit from the
procedure. Also, dental procedures can
be painful; anesthesia in combination with
pain medication will keep your pet
comfortable. You can feel confident in
knowing your pet's health, safety, and
comfort are our foremost concerns. Your pet
will have pre-anesthetic lab work prior to
the dental in order to determine the health
status of his/her organs. The
veterinarian will design and administer an
anesthetic and pain protocol specific to
your pet, ensuring the safest experience
possible. Your pet will be
intubated with an endotracheal tube to
secure the airway, deliver gas anesthesia,
and prevent aspiration of fluid during the
procedure. A veterinary technician
will monitor your pet constantly while under
anesthesia and as your pet recovers
afterwards. Please talk to a
staff member if you still have concerns
about your pet receiving anesthesia, or
click here.
Visit the
Veterinary
Oral Health Council for more information
and look for dental care products that carry
their seal of approval. |
