The dental procedures that we routinely perform include scaling (manual and ultrasonic), polishing, extractions, gingivectomies, root planning, root canals and periodontal disease treatment. 

Maintaining the health of your pet's teeth is he most important thing that you can do to increase the comfort and length of your pet's life.

Pet dental care is important because:

1. Pets with gum infections are uncomfortable.
   
2. Gum and teeth disease leads to endocarditits ("heart valve infection"), kidney and other organ infections.
   
3. Your pet ill be much more pleasant company without "bad breath".
   
4. Your pet will enjoy life without the discomfort of sore gums and teeth, and your pet's healthcare expense in later years is reduced.
   

Cleaning your pet's teeth requires:

ANESTHESIA is required to do a thorough job, since a pet will not "open wide".  The part of the tooth under the gum line must also be cleaned.  Our anesthetics are chosen with your pet's utmost safety in mind and is dictated by your pet's physical examination and the laboratory test results.

LABORATORY TESTING to determine anesthesia safety.  As the pet grows older, internal organs begin to fail.  Even though your pet seems to be in "good health", blood testing often reveals other problems that are treatable when caught in time.

SCALING of the teeth to remove tartar above and below the gum line is done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment.

POLISHING the teeth after scaling is important to "smooth down" the surfaces making them much more resistant to additional plaque formation.

ANTISEPTIC FLUSHING is important after polishing to rid the mouth of the everpresent bacteria so they do not invade the gums irritated during the cleaning.  Solutions are actually flushed beneath the gum line to rid these germs.

FLOURIDE COATING is also a part of the dental prophylaxis procedure.  Flouride decreases teeth sensitivity, strengthens tooth enamel, and decreases the rate of future plaque formation.

ANTIBIOTICS  are sometimes required in veterinary dentistry because teeth cleaning is usually requested or suggested when tooth and gum disease is already present.  Injectable antibiotics are used routinely.  Oral medications are often prescribed depending upon the severity of inflammation and infection.

Other procedures may be necessary depending upon infection and other dental problems.

Once the dental cleaning procedure has been completed it is important that you continue to care for your pet's teeth at home by regular brushing and proper nutrition to help prevent more tartar formation.