Dentistry & Oral Surgery

A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before their dental exam. 

We will analyze blood and urine samples to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted to ensure your pet's safety.

All patients undergoing dental procedures must be anesthetized. This ensures the safety of our veterinary team and of your pet, and allows our veterinarians to do a thorough exam, clean, and get any X-rays safely.

Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete, tooth-by-tooth, oral examination and charting. Your cat or dog's teeth will cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and X-rays may be taken.

If any oral health concerns are discovered, the veterinarian will develop a custom treatment plan, which may include dental surgery.

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

During this visit, our team will discuss any concerns found during your pet's exam and provide advice on at-home care for their teeth. 

Dogs and cats can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay, just like humans can, as a result of poor oral hygiene. When your pet eats, plaque forms on their teeth and can harden into tartar if not removed regularly.

Regular veterinary dental care can help prevent dental conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth, preserving your pet's overall oral health.

We recommend that most dogs and cats see a veterinarian for a dental checkup once a year. However, some pets are more prone to dental problems than others and may require more frequent appointments. 

Pets experiencing dental problems may show one or more of the following signs:

• Excessive drooling (may contain pus or blood)
• Pawing at their mouth or teeth
• Repeated yawning or teeth grinding
• Reduced grooming
• Dropping food from their mouth while eating

Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discolouration. Some pets may even even stop eating if their teeth are hurting.

As well as causing problems such as cavities, bad breath and periodontal disease, oral health issues may lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body as infection moves from their teeth through their bloodstream.

Regular teeth brushing and dental chew toys can help reduce plaque accumulation in your pet's mouth. For more advice on maintaining your dog or cat's dental health between checkups, consult with your veterinarian.

Cats and dogs can’t understand what’s happening during a dental procedure, which makes it unsafe to perform while they’re awake.

Anesthesia allows us to thoroughly and safely clean below the gum line, take dental X-rays, and perform any necessary extractions without causing stress, pain, or risk of injury to your pet or our team.

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
• Dysplasia Feline Stomatitis.