What is Veterinary Dentistry

Veterinary dentistry includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of your pets’ teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. These procedures should be performed by a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist.

The process begins with an oral exam of your pet’s mouth by a veterinarian. Radiographs (x-rays) may be needed to evaluate the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gumline. Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your own teeth during your regular dental cleanings.

When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.

Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.

Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are essential during a dog or cat’s dental procedure because more than 60% of a pet’s tooth structure sits below the gumline, where it cannot be evaluated by visual inspection alone.

Key reasons veterinarians rely on dental radiographs include:

  • Identifying Hidden Tooth Decay & Disease: Radiographs reveal bone loss, tooth root abscesses, root resorption (common in cats), and cysts that are completely hidden beneath healthy-looking gums.
  • Evaluating Tooth Vitality: They help determine whether a damaged or discolored tooth has internal nerve death, inflammation, or infection that requires treatment.
  • Guiding Safe Extractions: Before extracting a tooth, X-rays reveal the root shape, number of roots, and surrounding bone density, helping prevent jaw fractures or incomplete root removal. Afterward, follow-up X-rays confirm that the entire root was successfully removed.
  • Uncovering Retained Roots or Unerupted Teeth: Pets often have hidden baby teeth roots or un-erupted permanent teeth buried under the gums that can form painful dentigerous cysts if left untreated.
  • Avoiding Unnecessary Procedures: Radiographs can confirm that a tooth appearing diseased on the surface actually has healthy, intact roots and bone structure, saving it from unnecessary extraction.

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems.

Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of problems and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken or loose teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Pain in or around the mouth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth