What is involved with a dental exam?An examination by your veterinarian is the first step. Your veterinarian will confirm that a dental cleaning is needed and will review with you what procedures are likely required prior to the dental cleaning.Your veterinarian may perform preanesthetic blood tests to ensure that kidney and liver function are satisfactory for anesthesia (see handout "Preanesthetic Bloodwork" for more information), as well as an evaluation of the heart and abdomen, if needed. Anesthesia is important to allow a tooth-by-tooth examination, including dental X-rays.
What happens during a professional dental cleaning visit for my dog?A dental cleaning visit will include a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning, and polishing to remove tartar and plaque that causes periodontal disease. This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia.Once anesthetized, your veterinarian, with the help of veterinary assistants, will thoroughly examine the mouth, noting abnormalities in the medical record. A dental probe will be used to evaluate gum bleeding and identify periodontal pockets where food can accumulate and decay can occur, if not properly cared for.When periodontal disease is advanced, the affected teeth may need to be extracted, either during the procedure or at a later time. Your dog’s required treatment will be discussed with you after the cleaning, once the gums and each tooth have been checked.
How are my dog's teeth cleaned?After a thorough examination of your dog’s mouth, tooth scaling will be performed, using both hand and ultrasonic scalers, to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. The tartar below the gum line causes the most significant periodontal disease, so its removal is important.After scaling, the teeth are polished to remove microscopic scratches and decrease the rate of subsequent plaque build-up. Sealer application may be recommended to decrease plaque accumulation.Since it can be difficult to predict the extent of dental disease before the procedure, it is imperative that your veterinarian is able to reach you during the procedure to discuss any additional treatment that may be necessary.
Ms. Jennifer
