Just like with humans, there are certain forms of medicine that are a little more intricate than others. Veterinary dental surgery is one of them and is a specialized area that involves treating a pet’s teeth, jaw, gums, etc. We use multiple procedures to treat many types of dental ailments.
What Types Of Veterinary Dental Surgery Can Be Performed?
There are four main types of veterinary dental surgery that your pet may require at some point. The veterinarian may need to perform exams or other dental tests to figure out what the problem is and how best to fix it. We’ll do our best to prevent discomfort, so your furry friend is in as little pain as possible and feels much better long-term!
Root Canals
Root canals are not pleasant for anybody, but just like with people, they’re sometimes necessary. These dental procedures treat dental pulp issues like tooth abscesses and inflammation in your pet’s mouth that can cause extreme pain. It’s essential to follow up every six months for the first year after a root canal, then annually, to help monitor the health of the treated tooth.
Extractions
Tooth extractions are a form of veterinary dental surgery used when a tooth is damaged beyond repair, infected, or seemingly causing extreme pain. Advanced gum, disease, decay, or broken teeth are all reasons why we may extract a tooth. Unfortunately, oral tumors are another health issue that can lead to an extraction.
Orthodontics
It may come as a surprise, but many pets actually need orthodontic intervention! Your pet’s care team may use various appliances and buy evaluations to correct jaw misalignment in your pet! This is called malocclusion, and typically only requires this type of treatment once in their lifetime, with potential adjustments over the next few weeks or months, depending on the severity.
Periodontics
On average, your pet should receive a professional dental cleaning once a year to ensure their gums and teeth are healthy. Some animals are a little more susceptible to oral problems than others, so it’s important to do adequate research into the breed, as you have to know how often they should be evaluated. If they have a problem, such as gum disease, you can treat that with tooth scaling, root planing, and gum surgery.
The Risks Of Veterinary Dental Surgery
As with any procedure, human or animal, dental surgery has potential risks. A rare, serious reaction to anesthesia or pain medication, called anaphylaxis, is always a concern, along with difficulty breathing and irregular heartbeat. Other less serious reactions include extra bleeding, infection, swelling, or persistent drooling.
The Pros Of Veterinary Dental Surgery
The risks of veterinary dental surgery sound scary, but in most cases, the pros outweigh the cons. Firstly, your dear pet won’t be in pain anymore, and it can prevent future infections that can cause serious health concerns.
It will improve their oral health and nutrition, protect internal organs from harmful bacteria, and make their quality of life much more pleasant!
How Our Team Can Help You
Many facts about veterinarian dental surgery may seem overwhelming or quite scary, but we assure you it’s necessary for your pets’ well-being.
A team like Old Dominion Veterinary Clinic is who you need in your corner, keeping your pet happy and healthy while supplying the best veterinary care possible. We love your furry friends as much as you do, so if your pets need dental surgery, we will be the ones to help them with care you won’t find anywhere else!
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