Dentistry

Veterinary dentistry has progressed leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. It is an extremely important part of a pets' healthcare. The importance of good oral health for pets has never been so evident.
Our dental station is well equipped for routine procedures like teeth cleaning (utilizing ultrasonic scalers followed by polishing and fluoride treatment) as well as complicated extractions and gingival surgeries. In addition, we have a dental x-ray to assist in diagnosis.
Note that a minor dental infection can become a major health problem…..
Oral hygiene is critical for both dogs and cats to:

· Maintain healthy teeth and gums
· Decrease oral infections that can cause the loss of teeth and can damage the heart, liver, and kidneys. Bacteria from oral infections have a clear path to the animal's bloodstream and vital organs.
· Prevent the loss of teeth
· Decrease mouth odor
· Decrease oral pain
· Prevent oral abscesses

The amount of tartar (dental plaque) is dependant on:
a. Animal size
b. Breed
c. Diet
d. Individual variation
e. Client care of their pet's teeth
Warning signs of Dental Disease:
· Bad breath
· Loose or missing teeth
· Red and swollen gums
· A brownish crust of plaque on the teeth near the gums
· Difficulty eating or decreased appetite
· Bleeding from your pet's gums when touched or when they eat.
Plaque is an accumulation of food, calcium, and bacteria. When plaque is present, bacteria remain at the gum line. When the plaque isn't present, the saliva will more easily wash the bacteria from the gum line. Professional cleaning becomes necessary when clients are unable to keep up with home tooth brushing and dental care. Like people, animals need professional teeth cleaning on a routine basis.

General anesthesia is normally required to adequately clean the pet's teeth. We recommend that animals undergoing a general anesthetic procedure have a blood profile prior to anesthesia. This is particularly important with middle age and older animals. The presurgical screen allows the doctor to look for organ dysfunction and anemia (low blood counts) that might affect the safety of the anesthetic. This can be done the day of the dental, or a short time prior.

General anesthesia is normally required to do a good job of cleaning. We use isoflurane, which is an inhalation anesthetic that is combined with oxygen to increase its level of safety and decrease the recovery time. Most of our dentals are outpatient procedures, and will be discharged after 4:00 pm  the day of the dental. At that time, the doctor, or a technician, can answer questions about the dental procedure and the appropriate after care. We appreciate the opportunity to answer any and all questions at that time.

We monitor anesthetized patients with a pulse oximeter or dopler. Post operatively our patients are carefully monitored as they come out of anesthesia.

Unless otherwise directed, any pet that will have a general anesthetic should be fasted after 7 pm the night before the dental. For the comfort of your pet, take them out for an extended walk in the morning to urinate and defecate. Dentals may be dropped off between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning of surgery or at a  pre-arranged time.