What is periodontal disease?
Just like us, our pets need dental care too. The process of periodontal disease begins with bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria forms a substance called plaque. Plaque adheres to the surface of the teeth and gets under the gum line. Minerals in your pet’s saliva react with the plaque to form tartar. Tartar promotes further plaque accumulation as well as becoming calcified (which cannot be completely removed without ultrasonic scaling performed by a trained registered veterinary technician or veterinarian). The plaque trapped under the gum line begins to cause inflammation to the gingiva called gingivitis. The gums start to swell, become red, painful and lastly become infected!
Systemic infection from the dental disease is spread throughout the body and affects other organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. Damage under the gum line also begins to break down tooth integrity and structure.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Pain
- Halitosis
- Inflamed red gums/ bleeding
- Pawing at mouth
- Decreased chewing/eating
- Facial swelling
Estimates
Grade of Disease
Oral Health is graded during a regular exam to determine severity of disease. These findings help determine the starting range of the treatment cost. The grading scale is healthy Mouth or Grade s 1 to 4. The state of the teeth after the Comprehensive Oral Exam Assessment done during the dental procedure determines how extensive the actual surgery will be. The severity of periodontal disease does directly affect the final cost of the dental surgery.
Healthy Mouth
Mild – Grade 1
Severe – Grade 4
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment – Dental Surgery
Prior to dental surgery
We highly recommend pre anesthetic blood work for all patients. Blood work provides an overall picture of the organ health of your pet. (Mandatory blood work for senior pets – dogs at 7yrs or older and cats at 7yrs or older).
Dental Surgery
At Lakewood Animal Hospital, all dental patients have a Surgical Anesthetic Monitoring Team. This team includes a Veterinarian, a Registered Veterinary Technologist and a Surgical Assistant ensure your pet’s safety and comfort while they are in our care. The patient is given pain control (Freezing and medications) and IV fluids during the procedure to help maintain blood pressure, help liver and kidneys process pre anesthetic medications and provide access to the vein to administer medications.
While under anesthetic, a complete oral exam is done. Each tooth is assessed and graded for tartar and gingivitis and any findings are recorded in the dental chart.
Dental radiographs are taken to investigate tooth health under the gum line. These x rays help to determine if there is any bone loss, abscesses ect. and lets the team know how many teeth need to be extracted.
A scaling with an ultrasonic scaling is performed to remove plaque and tartar from all surfaces on the teeth and up to 5mm below the gum line. Polishing is then performed to remove film bacteria left on the teeth after scaling. Extractions if needed.
QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PROCEDURE
- Surgical Anesthetic Monitoring Team – includes a Veterinarian, a Registered Veterinary Technologist and a Surgical Assistant ensure your pet’s safety and comfort
- Complete Oral Exam – each tooth assessed and graded for tartar and gingivitis
- Charting – all findings are recorded in dental chart
- Dental Radiographs – to investigate tooth health under the gum line ( bone loss, abscess, etc)
- Ultrasonic Scaling – to remove plaque and tartar
- Polishing – removes film bacteria left on teeth after scaling
- IV fluids – safer anesthesia, maintain hydration, speeds recovery, vein access to administer anesthesia and emergency medications if needed
- Pain control – Freezing and Pain medications
- Extractions if needed
COMPLIMENTARY DENTAL RECHECK
A complimentary dental recheck with one of our veterinary technician is recommended with in 14 days after every dental to discuss preventive dental care at home and to ensure proper healing of extraction sites.
- Book with Registered Veterinary Technician
- Recommended within 14 days post dental
- Discuss preventive dental care at home
- Ensure proper healing of extraction sites
After Dental Care
- BRUSHING – Brushing DAILY with a pet toothpaste.
- DENTAL FOOD – Feeding a dental diet OR using a dental diet as treat substitute. (Hills t/d, Royal Canin Dental, PVD DH)
- DETNAL TREATS – Dental chew treats (Enzadents, Tartar Shield, etc.)
- DENTAL CHEW TOYS – Dental chew toys (Kong’s, rope toys etc)
- DENTAL RINSES AND GELS – Veterinary approved dental gels and oral rinses (MAXI/GUARD, ect)