Dentistry
The importance of pearly whites for your pet
TOVWC is excited to launch our new Dental Wellness Bundles. Special bundles to help keep your pet happy and healthy for many years to come. These bundles are now available in the month of April and May and space is limited. Call now to schedule your complimentary dental examination. During this examination we will take a look at your pet’s teeth and develop a plan that will get them back in tip top shape immediately and on the road to improved health.
We do not support anesthesia free cleanings
- Anesthesia free cleanings do not properly clean your pet’s teeth and can lead to much more significant problems
- If left untreated, bacterial plaque and calculus stay under the gum line and will result in gingivitis (inflamed, red gums) and over time gum recession and bone loss will occur.
- Gingivitis, bone loss and gingival recession are the result of chronic inflammation and infection.
- If the gingival recession and bone loss is severe enough, tooth loosening and loss will eventually occur.
Chronic infection is the problem and this has an everyday detrimental impact on the systemic health of your pet.
Ultrasonic scaling removes the sub-gingival plaque bacteria and calculus that are directly responsible for periodontal disease. This will improve the odor of the breath and appearance of the teeth. If disease has been present for too long, we may discover that one of more of the teeth needs special attention. Our first and foremost goal is to save the teeth if we can.
Polishing and Preventative Products: After the teeth have been cleaned, they are polished above and below the gum line. After polishing we may be able to inject Clindoral (a long acting antibiotic gel) under the gum line. If the pocket below the gum line or the bone loss and disease is too significant then tooth extraction will be necessary. If the teeth are in good condition but the animal tends to accumulate plaque and tartar quickly, we will apply the dental sealant SANOS. We always make sure your animal is pain free during dental procedures by using intraoperative pain medicine and local anesthetic blocks as needed.
Does your pet need a dental? Start by lifting your pet’s lips. If you see dirty or discolored teeth, typically an ugly brownish-greenish color, this is likely tartar or plaque and is an early sign of imminent gum or periodontal disease. Next examine the gums for any swelling or redness. If you brush your fingertip along the gum line and observe the tissues become angry and inflamed or even bleed, this indicates more serious gum infection and disease. Finally, take a whiff. If your pet’s breath is foul smelling this is usually associated with a bacterial infection. A pet with a healthy mouth should have pleasant or at least neutral odor. If your pet exhibits any of these signs, you need to have your pet seen immediately.
Pre-Dental Visit: If your pet needs a dental cleaning or other dental procedures, we will conduct a full physical examination and collect a blood sample for pre-operative blood work (CBC, electrolytes, chemistry, clotting factors). Baseline blood work prior to the procedure is highly recommended as it helps us to have the best “whole” picture of your pet prior to anesthesia. At this visit we will more than likely dispense an antibiotic for your pet to take at least 7 days before and to continue afterwards. This antibiotic will decrease problems associated with the release of the bacteria in the mouth. We will then schedule your pet’s dental.
How much will it cost? Each patient must be approached and treated as an individual with unique needs. We employ a number of highly trained, caring licensed professionals to ensure your dog or cat’s comfort and safety, all while using state of the art anesthetic and dental equipment to ensure high-quality dental and oral surgical care for your pet. The cost of the dental cleaning is based on several factors, including species and weight of your pet, and the amount of disease he or she has. An estimate given over the phone will be based on a relatively healthy mouth that requires no “extras.” Once we have evaluated your pet, we can give you a more detailed estimate of what we expect, along with a range for the unexpected.
Your pets estimate will include:
- Anesthetic drugs
- Anesthesia time
- IV catheter placement
- IV fluids
- Medications (injectable &/or oral)
- Ultrasonic scaling and polishing
- Patient monitoring (before and after anesthesia)
- Dental sealant (to offer your pet longer, healthier teeth and gums)
- +/- Local analgesia (if extractions are necessary)
- +/- Teeth Extraction(s)
- +/- Surgical and suture materials
We work hard at Tally Oaks Veterinary Wellness Center to keep costs down, so we are able to offer affordable dental care for your pet.
