Dentistry

Open wide!

It’s not as straight-forward as “open wide” for pets who need a dental procedure. Dentistry for animals cannot be considered routine because general anesthesia is required to thoroughly examine, clean and treat a pet’s teeth and oral cavity. And anesthesia always requires special knowledge and precautions.

Veterinary dentists evaluate, diagnose, prevent and treat diseases, disorders and conditions of the mouth, maxillofacial area and adjacent structures. To become board certified in the specialty of veterinary dentistry, a veterinarian must complete extensive training in endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, jaw fracture repair and oral surgery.

Conditions we often treat include:

• Endodontic disease, which deals with conditions involving the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth
• Fractured teeth
• Jaw fractures
• Malocclusions and orthodontic disorders in which the teeth are seriously misaligned
• Periodontal disease, which includes conditions involving the gums, bones, and ligaments around the teeth
• Oral tumors