Dental Procedures or COHAT
Dental disease is far more common in pets than many people realize, and it can develop in most pets over the age of one. Left untreated, dental disease can cause chronic pain, inflammation, and may even compromise your pet's overall health and lifespan. At River's Edge Animal Hospital, we offer expert dental care, including preventative cleanings and advanced treatments such as extractions, tooth preservation, and the repair of enamel defects. We use the latest dental technology, including state-of-the-art dental radiographs, to ensure your pet receives the most thorough and accurate care.
Anesthesia for Dental Procedures
Anesthesia is necessary for all dental procedures, ensuring your pet’s safety and comfort. It allows us to perform a full cleaning above AND below the gum line, provides pain control, and makes it possible to place a breathing tube to prevent bacteria from entering the respiratory system. The duration of anesthesia depends on the degree of dental disease and the procedures required to address it.
X-rays for Dental Health
Dental radiographs are an essential part of every dental procedure. They help us identify problems below the gum line that aren’t visible during a physical examination. Often, dental disease extends far beneath the surface, and by catching these issues early, we can provide treatment that prevents future complications and protects your pet's oral health.
Prophylactic Dental Cleaning
Prophylactic dental care is a comprehensive process performed while your pet is under anesthesia. It includes several important steps:
- Full-Mouth Dental Radiographs: We begin with dental X-rays to identify hidden problems beneath the gum line.
- Thorough Oral Examination: We assess your pet’s teeth and mouth for signs of gingivitis, mobile teeth, fractures, oral masses, or other concerns.
- Scaling & Root Planing: We remove tartar from both above and below the gum line to clean your pet’s teeth thoroughly.
- Polishing & Fluoride Treatment: After scaling, we polish the teeth and apply fluoride treatment to promote enamel strength and oral health.
- Pain Management for Dental Procedures: Pain management is a top priority during dental procedures and often involves medications as part of anesthesia as well as local nerve blocks: These blocks are administered when teeth are extracted, ensuring that your pet feels no pain during the procedure and easing recovery afterward. Nerve blocks typically last 12-24 hours.
Extractions & Treatment Options
If problems are identified beneath the gum line, we may recommend extractions to prevent further pain or complications. For example, an infected tooth may need to be removed or treated with root canal therapy. Extractions are necessary when the tooth is abscessed or when the root is infected, as leaving a tooth with an exposed nerve can cause severe pain, irreversible bone loss, and allow bacteria to spread to other organs like the heart, liver, or kidneys. In some cases we can seal and preserve teeth rather than extract them and these options are discussed with a patient’s family.
Oral Pain Medications
Following extractions or other painful procedures, we may send your pet home with oral pain medications to keep them comfortable during recovery. These medications are usually prescribed for 5-7 days.
Antibiotic Therapy
If your pet’s dental disease involves infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to speed up recovery, promote tissue healing, and reduce pain. Depending on the severity of the infection, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics for 1-2 weeks.
Additional Procedures During Anesthesia
Since your pet will already be under anesthesia, this is an ideal time to address other health if deemed appropriate.
