Dental Procedures

Regular dental checks, a suitable diet and home dental care can all help maintain your pet’s oral health. However, once plaque and tartar have accumulated or dental disease has developed, your pet may need a professional dental procedure.

A dental procedure allows us to thoroughly examine and clean your pet’s teeth, including areas below the gumline that can’t be properly assessed or cleaned while your pet is awake.

What happens during a dental procedure?

Anaesthesia

A general anaesthetic is required to safely and thoroughly examine, scale and polish your pet’s teeth.

Before the procedure, your pet will be examined and an anaesthetic plan will be tailored to their age, health and individual needs. Pre-anaesthetic blood testing may also be recommended.

During the procedure, your pet is closely monitored by our veterinary team and receives appropriate pain relief and supportive care.

Dental examination and scaling

Once your pet is under anaesthesia, we can perform a thorough examination of their teeth and gums.

An ultrasonic scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces, including areas below the gumline where dental disease can develop.

Polishing

After scaling, the teeth are polished to create a smooth surface and help reduce the ability of plaque to reattach.

Dental X-rays

Much of each tooth lies below the gumline, which means some dental problems cannot be identified by looking at the mouth alone.

Digital dental X-rays allow us to assess the tooth roots and surrounding structures and can help us identify disease or damage that may otherwise go undetected.

Dental X-rays are particularly important when assessing teeth that may require extraction.

Extractions

If a tooth is badly damaged, infected or affected by advanced dental disease, extraction may be recommended.

Our priority is to relieve pain and leave your pet with a comfortable, healthy and functional mouth. If extractions are required, appropriate pain relief is provided during and after the procedure.

Other dental procedures

Some dental conditions may require more advanced treatment. Where appropriate, our vets can discuss the available options with you and arrange referral for specialist dental treatment if required.

After your pet’s dental

We keep a dental record of your pet’s examination and treatment, including any abnormalities identified and teeth that have been extracted.

When your pet goes home, we’ll explain the findings and provide instructions for their recovery and ongoing dental care. We may also recommend a follow-up dental check based on your pet’s individual needs.

Concerned about your pet’s teeth?

Signs of dental disease aren’t always obvious, and many pets continue to eat even when they have a painful mouth.

If you’ve noticed bad breath, difficulty eating, dropping food, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or discoloured, loose or damaged teeth, we recommend having your pet checked.

Book an appointment for a dental assessment, or contact our team if you have questions about your pet’s dental health.

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