Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery

A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed prior to your pet's dental exam.

We will take blood and urine for analysis to help ensure it is safe for your dog or cat to undergo anesthesia. We require the bloodwork to be completed before the day of the procedure. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.

General anesthesia is administered to all patients undergoing dental procedures. This allows the veterinarian to conduct a thorough examination and cleaning, in addition to capturing any required X-rays safely and efficiently without undue stress on the pet.

Once your pet is under anesthesia, our team will conduct a complete, tooth-by-tooth oral examination and charting. Their teeth will be cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and X-rays may be taken.

If any oral health issues are discovered, the veterinarian will develop a custom treatment plan, which may include dental surgery, and discuss it with you.

Your veterinarian may recommend a follow-up examination be scheduled three weeks after the initial appointment.

During this visit, your veterinarian will monitor your pet's healing process and discuss oral health concerns as well as further treatment recommendations. We will also provide advice on at-home care for your pet's teeth.

Dogs and cats can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health. When our pets eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not cleaned away regularly.

Annual veterinary dental care can help to prevent conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth.

We recommend that most dogs and cats see a veterinarian for a dental checkup once a year. Pets with a higher risk of developing dental health problems may require more frequent appointments.

If your pet shows any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian to book a dental exam for your dog or cat.

• Tartar buildup
• Loose and/or broken teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Bad breath
• Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Abnormal chewing
• Drooling
• Dropping food from the mouth
• Discoloured teeth

In addition to causing problems such as bad breath and periodontal disease, oral health issues in pets have been linked to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas of the body.

Brushing your pet's teeth regularly and providing appropriate dental chews can help to control the buildup of plaque and prevent dental issues from developing. Speak to your veterinarian to learn more about caring for your dog or cat's teeth between dental exams.

Cats and dogs are unable to understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react by struggling or biting. Using anesthesia puts less stress on our beloved patients and allows us to examine their mouths thoroughly and safely.

Dental health issues which may require dental surgery include cracked or broken teeth, tooth decay, severe gum disease (periodontitis), jaw fractures, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), luxation, or dysplasia feline stomatitis.

Please note that some of these treatment options may require a referral to a board certified dentist.