Advanced Pet Dental Services
Below are some of the most common services provided by veterinary dental specialists. While some services listed below may be available through a primary care veterinarian who has received additional training in treating the specific condition, these procedures or ailments will typically be referred to a specialist.
Complex Tooth Extractions
Routine tooth extractions can typically be performed by a primary care veterinarian, but in the event of severe disease or damage, extractions may be referred to a veterinary dental specialist.
Most tooth extractions require an incision of the gingiva and minimal removal of bone to ensure extraction of the entire tooth. Care should be taken especially when extracting mandibular canines and first molars, as improper technique can lead to jaw fractures.
Surgical extraction sites are sutured closed to prevent complications during the healing process. The sutures will typically dissolve and fall out over a period of 2-6 weeks.
Pet Oral Tumors and Cancer
Oral tumors are relatively common in d
ogs and cats but may not be noticed at an early stage by pet owners (which is why frequent dental check-ups are so essential!). All oral swelling and growths should be investigated. A “wait and see” approach is not recommended.
When an oral tumor is suspected, radiographs, biopsies, and other advanced diagnostic imaging techniques (such as a cone beam CT) help to gain a definitive diagnosis and to determine the characteristics of the tumor.
For most pet oral tumors, surgical removal offers the best chance of cure. Because there are so many types of oral tumors that can occur in dogs and cats, each with a different prognosis, management by a veterinary dental specialist and/or oncologist is recommended. Often, your regular veterinarian may take a biopsy and then refer your pet to a veterinary dental specialist.
The key to successful treatment of oral cancer in a pet is early detection of the growth. When swelling in the mouth is noted, seek a consultation with a veterinary dental specialist as soon as possible.
Pet Jaw Fractures
Jaw fractures are typically seen in pets, often dogs, who have been hit by a car or have gotten into fights with other animals. Occasionally, they are seen in cases of severe periodontal disease. When possible, our veterinary dentists aim to use non-invasive techniques to repair jaw fractures, and many pet patients can eat normally in the evening following the procedure.
The choice of technique used depends on many factors, including the location and severity of the fracture. Typically, wires and composite splints are bonded to the teeth to immobilize the fracture site. These wires and splints will need to be surgically removed after the fracture has healed.
The healing times vary greatly, but typically young puppies and dogs need anywhere from 2-6 weeks for healing. Older dogs require 6-8 weeks before the splints and wires can be removed.
Oronasal Fistula Repair
An oronasal fistula is an abnormal opening in a pet’s upper gum that creates a pathway between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Common causes of fistula formation include periodontal disease, an overly aggressive extraction of a pet's tooth, or incomplete healing after tooth extraction. Fistulas can also be caused by malocclusion (abnormal formation) of the lower canine teeth.
If your pet has an oronasal fistula, it can be painful and also presents a risk of infection because food or the pet's saliva can enter the nasal cavity and cause inflammation and infection in the respiratory tract. Sneezing after eating or drinking is a common symptom pets will show if they have this condition.
If you see this condition in your dog or cat, it's important to bring them for an evaluation and treatment by a veterinary dentist.
Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth containing nerves and vessels). When the pulpal tissue is compromised and the vitality is destroyed, the tooth dies, and infection may occur. In these cases, endodontic treatment, such as root canal treatment, is necessary to preserve the teeth and prevent extraction.
Pet root canal treatment is an alternative to tooth extraction. This procedure removes the pulp of a tooth, thereby removing the nerves and the infected tissue. The aim of root canals is to remove the pain and infection inside the tooth and roots, allowing the tooth to remain inside the mouth. Crowns are typically recommended after a root canal is performed to help protect the teeth from further damage.
Periodontal Therapy and Surgery for Dogs and Cats
Depending on the extent of a pet’s periodontal disease, veterinary dental specialists may be able to save some of a dog's or cat's diseased teeth from extraction. Due to the advanced treatments available through a veterinary dental specialist, when periodontitis is present, treatment options may be employed to save the teeth. Teeth with gum recession, root exposure, or periodontal pockets may be candidates for periodontal surgery. Advanced periodontal procedures, such as gingival flap surgery and bone grafting, can be used to regenerate periodontal tissues and save teeth.
The pet patient’s overall health, the cost of specific treatments, and the pet owner’s willingness to provide daily oral hygiene at home are considered prior to performing periodontal therapy. Without diligent homecare to keep a pet's teeth clean between their annual vet dental cleanings, periodontal therapy will not be successful and severely affected teeth will require extraction.
Crowns & Restorations
This area of dentistry deals with the diagnosis and treatment of teeth with restorations and prosthetic crowns to restore teeth to full, functional ability and esthetic appearance.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a dog or cat's tooth - covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
A dental crown may be needed for a dog or cat in the following situations:
To protect a weak tooth from breaking
To hold together parts of a cracked tooth
To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of the tooth left
To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
Permanent crowns for dogs and cats can be made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or all ceramic. The most used crowns for pets are metal crowns because they provide the most strength, durability, and protection.
Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel Hypoplasia (also called hypocalcification) occurs when a dog's or cat's tooth enamel is abnormally thin or absent. This condition can be caused by hereditary factors, systemic illness (e.g., distemper infection), or localized trauma/infection early in life.
It usually affects several teeth unless the condition resulted from local trauma or a short-term fever illness; in these cases, only the areas of enamel that were actively forming at the time will be affected.
It is important to restore the teeth that do have Enamel Hypoplasia to protect the pulp and underlying dentin. Restoration is typically done with composite under general anesthesia.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with moving and correcting the position or alignment of teeth. Abnormal bites (malocclusions) can develop due to primary teeth being slow or failing to fall out, or because secondary teeth are slow to erupt. Malocclusions tend to be less common in cats than in dogs.
Malocclusions can develop during the transition from primary (puppy/kitten) to secondary (adult) teeth which can be painful for the affected pet without prompt treatment. The primary teeth need to be removed immediately to help avoid the development of severe malocclusions.
Advanced Dental Imaging - Digital Dental X-rays
Pet dental health care involves more than the portion of the tooth above the gumline. There is a great deal of anatomy that can't be seen without veterinary dental radiographs! Veterinary dental radiography, commonly called, “x-rays”, are often used for diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up evaluation of a pet's dental health.
At Thrive Pet Healthcare, our dental specialists use digital x-ray sensors instead of traditional photographic film. Digital radiography provides many more benefits than traditional x-ray film, including:
Provides immediate access to the image.
Allows for digital measurements.
Has the capability for contrast, brightness, or color to be adjusted to provide greater image clarity.
Requires less radiation to produce an image than film radiography.
When performing digital dental x-rays, the digital sensor is placed into the mouth of the dog or cat, providing a clear and well-defined radiograph of the pet’s teeth and jaw. To ensure that these clear, readable images are obtained, the pet must be put under anesthesia.
Advanced Dental Imaging – Cone Beam CT
Veterinary dental specialists often utilize additional advanced imaging techniques beyond dental x-rays when further imaging could aid in diagnosis and treatment of the pet.
Cone beam CT is a rapid, non-invasive scan that allows extremely accurate 2D and 3D imaging of the teeth, jaw bones/joints, and oral-facial anatomy. It allows the specialist to identify many hidden conditions not visible on dental radiographs (x-rays). Cone beam CT is an important imaging tool for some patients’ tooth fractures, bone loss, missing teeth, and tooth crowding. It also helps evaluate facial swellings, nasal discharge, evaluation of an oral mass/growth, and oral-facial trauma (jaw fracture).
