If we are performing a dental procedure on your pet, please print out a Dental Form , fill it out, and bring it to the hospital at the time of your appointment.

OVERVIEW AND RATIONALE

Modern companion animal dentistry often involves sophisticated procedures which may include the following: patient evaluation, predental workup, general anesthesia, possible intravenous fluids, hospitalization, teeth cleaning, teeth polishing, extractions (if needed), fluoride treatment, and dental surgery (if needed).

Veterinary dental procedures are performed mainly to eliminate the bacterial infection present with periodontal disease. This infection is not only a source of bad breathe, but more importantly provides entry of bacteria into the bloodstream via bleeding of the gums. Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can create infections in the heart, lungs, kidney, and liver.

A MINOR DENTAL INFECTION CAN BECOME A MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM!!

A "veterinary dentistry" is quite different from the equivalent process in people. For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Consequently, a person's visit to the dental hygienist is relatively brief and does not require sedation. In contrast, veterinary dentistry is considerably more involved, time-consuming, and complex. It requires general anesthesia, and consequently a day's hospitalization and the skills of several people, from veterinarians to veterinary technicians and animal attendants.

PREDENTAL WORKUP

A predental workup involves laboratory and diagnostic tests to better evaluate a pet's current health status and to assure safe anesthesia. Current medical problems must be evaluated and any possible unknown problems must be identified prior to dentistry.

For otherwise healthy young animals, we suggest a brief in-hospital blood screen on the day of the dentistry. For older animals, a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry profile (SMA20) is taken at least one day prior to the dentistry. A preoperative electrocardiogram (EKG) may be suggested in certain circumstances.

THE DENTISTRY PROCEDURE ITSELF

1. Antibiotic injection (if indicated). Predental antibiotics may be dispensed to be given prior to the dentistry.
2. Placement of intravenous catheter and administration of intravenous fluids (if indicated).
3. General anesthesia:
   1st: sedation by injection.
   2nd: intravenous anesthetic injection.
   3rd: intubation and gas inhalant anesthetic administration.
4. EKG: continuous monitoring on oscilloscope during entire procedure.
5. Pulse Oximetry: blood oxygen levels monitored during anesthesia.
6. Oral examination by doctors before the procedure.
7. Teeth cleaning and root planning are performed by technicians. Ultrasonic cleaning and scaling of all accessible tooth surfaces above and below the gum line are performed.
8. Teeth extractions: if required, are performed by a doctor. Loose and diseased teeth cannot be left in the mouth since they are a continuous source of pain and infection.
9. Dental X-rays may be taken if needed.
10. Dental surgery is performed by a doctor. This most commonly involves gingivectomies that remove gum tissue to eliminate dental "pockets" below the gum line, in which bacteria grow.
11. Final examination by doctor before polishing.
12. Teeth polishing: performed by a technician. High speed polishing of all accessible tooth surfaces above and below the gum line is performed.
13. Antibacterial mouthwash to rinse teeth.
14. Fluoride treatment: after air-drying the teeth with compressed air, a fluoride gel is applied to all tooth surfaces. This has to remain in contact with the teeth for 4 minutes. It provides the same well-known protective effects as in people.
15. Anesthetic recovery with continual monitoring.

NOTE: The average length of the procedure is 45 to 75 minutes for dogs, and 30 to 40 minutes for cats.

AFTERCARE

Once your pet's teeth have been cleaned, you'll want to keep them in good shape. For the first week following dentistry, you should give your pet soft food as the gums heal. After 7-10 days you should start a program of brushing your pet's teeth. A toothpaste made for pets should be used. Gradually introduce the brushing program working up to an every other day schedule. This requires effort and patience.

The hospital stocks the C.E.T. brand of pet toothpaste, which is available either alone or in a kit that includes brush and detailed instructions.

Various dental devices are available to help clean your pet's teeth. You can apply toothpaste into the grooves of some rubber toys for dogs, hence allowing the difficult pet to "brush its own teeth". Nylabones and Booodabones are also helpful in the maintenance of oral hygiene, as are good-quality dog biscuits.

Hill's Prescription Diets produce a diet specifically for the control of tartar in dogs and cats. T/D Diet is suitable for those patients who appear to be at continued high-risk for the build-up of tartar and plaque, despite cleaning and maintenance. This diet is completely balanced for long-term use and would appear to be especially useful in those breeds with genetic susceptibility to dental disease.

Giving your pet's teeth the attention they deserve will promote not only good oral health, but also contribute to the maintenance of good general health. It will provide you, the owner, with a breath of fresh air !!