Dental Evaluation
At your pet's exam, we look carefully at:
- teeth surfaces
- gum line
- tartar / plaque
- signs of gingivitis
- fractured or worn teeth
- odor changes
- any discomfort or reluctance to chew
This helps us understand what we can see above the gumline.
But just like in human dentistry — much of the disease actually hides beneath the gumline.
Dental radiographs (x-rays)
Dental radiographs are the only way to evaluate:
- roots
- bone loss
- abscesses
- resorptive lesions (very common in cats)
- fractures that aren't visible from above
X-rays allow us to detect disease before it becomes painful or infected.
They are done under anesthesia because we need complete stillness and safe positioning — pets would never tolerate a mouth full of film plates while awake.
Radiographs let us make good, evidence-based decisions — not guesses.
Professional dental cleaning
A complete dental cleaning under anesthesia includes:
- full mouth radiographs
- ultrasonic and hand scaling to remove tartar
- sub-gingival (below the gum) cleaning
- polishing of enamel to slow plaque re-attachment
- full mouth charting
- pain scoring
This is not the same as "awake scaling."
The important disease lives under gum tissue — and that cannot be cleaned safely or completely without anesthesia.
Sometimes: oral surgery
Every patient is different, but radiographs may reveal teeth that are:
- fractured
- loose
- infected
- causing chronic pain
- undergoing root resorption
If we see this, we may recommend extraction or other oral surgery at the same time — while your pet is already anesthetized — to prevent chronic pain and infection.
We will always call you during the procedure to discuss findings and get consent before we proceed with any surgical correction.
The goal
Our goal is comfort.
We want your pet to eat comfortably, chew normally, and enjoy their life without silent oral pain.
Good dental care is one of the most direct ways we can add healthy, pain-free years to their life.