Veterinary dentistry & oral surgery.
Periodontal disease is the most common issue affecting our pet cats and dogs. We know that severe dental disease issues result in chronic inflammation and infections that can result in discomfort for our patients and can decrease their quality of life.
Our dentistry team is skilled in aspects of oral surgery and dentistry including periodontal therapies, tooth extractions, root canal and vital pulp therapies, jaw fracture repair and oral mass removal.
By working with other departments at our hospital and your primary care veterinarian, our dentistry service ensures a comprehensive approach to the care of your pet. Our goal is to address your pet’s dentistry and oral surgical needs to make give them a comfortable and functional mouth.
All of the dentistry and oral surgical procedures we perform to address your pet’s oral issues are performed under general anesthesia. Our oral surgery and dentistry team works together with the anesthesia service to develop a plan to manage your pet’s risk factors and minimize their risks while under general anesthesia.
What is a board-certified veterinary dentist?
A veterinary dentist has undergone additional training after veterinary school in order to become a specialist. Additional training consists of a residency program following the guidelines established by the American Veterinary Dental College.
During a residency, there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. In addition to these requirements, applicants must submit for evaluation case logs, several case reports and then pass a hands-on practical examination.
What to expect at your first visit.
When you arrive, you will be asked to fill out a new patient form if you have not already submitted one through our website. A veterinary technician will then escort you and your pet to an examination room.
We’ll review your pet’s history with you, look over any prior medical records including laboratory work and radiographs (if applicable) and perform a complete physical examination and then focus on the oral and facial structures.
During the consultation, we will discuss all aspects of your pet’s medical condition, address your concerns and work with you to determine the right course of treatment based on our initial assessment and conversations with your primary care veterinarian. We want to provide the best treatment possible for your pet and respect your wishes and goals.
Expect this initial consultation to take at least an hour. Depending on your pet’s special needs you may be asked to leave your pet for the rest of the day. This depends on the tests your pet requires prior to general anesthesia and potential evaluation by another specialty service before we feel it is safe to schedule a procedure to be completed under general anesthesia. We feel this process is the best way to give you the most accurate information about your pet’s medical condition, the prognosis, options for care and the potential costs associated with treatment.