Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery

Before we ever give your pet general anesthesia, a thorough pre-anesthetic assessment will be performed.

During this assessment, we will take blood and urine samples to analyze to ensure it is safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia.

Additional diagnostics, such as an ECG, may also be conducted. 

All patients undergoing dental procedures will be given general anesthesia. This allows our veterinarians to thoroughly examine your pet's mouth, take x-rays and clean and polish the teeth safely and efficiently without causing pain or anxiety for your pet.

After anesthesia has been administered and your pet is asleep, our veterinarians will perform a complete tooth by tooth, examination and charting of your cat or dog's oral cavity. The teeth will then be cleaned (including under the gum line) and polished, and X-rays will be performed.

If any oral health problems are discovered, the veterinarian will develop a custom treatment plan, which may include dental surgery, and discuss it with you.

Your veterinarian may recommend a follow-up examination be scheduled five to seven days after the procedure if extractions or oral surgery were performed.

During this visit, we will discuss any concerns identified during the exam and provide advice on at-home care for your pet's teeth. 

Dogs and cats can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay, just like people can, as a result of poor oral hygiene. When your pet eats, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not cleaned away regularly.

Regular veterinary dental care can help to prevent conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth from forming, preserving your pet's overall oral health.

Most dogs and cats should see a veterinarian for a dental checkup at least once a year. Some pets are more prone to oral health problems, and therefore may need more frequent appointments.

Pets experiencing dental problems may show one or more of the following signs: excessive drooling (may contain pus or blood), pawing at their mouth or teeth, repeated yawning, teeth grinding, reduced grooming, or dropping food from their mouth while eating.

Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discolouration. Some pets may even even stop eating.

Oral health conditions seldom stop in the mouth. If left to progress, oral health issues and conditions can lead to diseases in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.

Brushing your dog or cat's teeth regularly at home is the best way to help control the buildup of plaque. You can also provide your pet with a prescription dental diet, dental chews, and additives.

Speak to your veterinarian for more advice on caring for your four-legged friend's oral hygiene between appointments.

Unfortunately, our cats and dogs don't understand that during a dental procedure, we are trying to help them. As a result, they often react by struggling. By using anesthesia, we can reduce your pet's stress and make it easier for the veterinarian to examine their mouths thoroughly and safely.

Dental health issues that may require surgery include cracked or broken teeth, tooth decay, severe gum disease (periodontitis), jaw fractures, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation, or feline stomatitis.