Procedure of a veterinary dental treatment in our practice
Introduction
At our veterinary practice, we place particular emphasis on the dental health of your animals. Our comprehensive dental treatments are specifically designed to provide the best possible care for older and especially sensitive patients. Gentle and stress-free anesthesia management is our priority, ensuring the treatment is as comfortable as possible.
Thorough examination and diagnosis
General examination
Before every dental treatment, we conduct a thorough general examination. This examination gives us an initial overview of your pet's overall health and any existing dental problems.
Anesthesia and teeth cleaning
A precise diagnosis of the teeth is only possible under general anesthesia. Therefore, we begin with a thorough dental cleaning and disinfection of the oral cavity. This allows us to examine the tooth crowns closely and probe the gum pockets.
X-ray diagnostics
Since approximately 60% of the tooth are hidden within the jawbone, X-ray diagnostics are essential. Based on the X-ray images, we can make precise statements about the condition of the teeth and jaw.
Treatment planning and implementation
Creating a treatment plan
After evaluating all findings, we will create a detailed treatment plan. This will be discussed with you before the actual treatment begins. You will also receive a cost estimate based on the official fee schedule for veterinarians.
Performing the dental treatment
Dental treatment involves various steps, depending on the diagnosis. This can range from simple teeth cleaning to complex surgical procedures. All procedures are carried out under close supervision to ensure your pet's well-being.
Aftercare and recovery phase
Recovery room
After the procedure, your pet will be taken to our recovery room, where it will wake up from the anesthesia under careful observation. If no further monitoring is necessary, you can usually take your pet home the same day.
Aftercare and care instructions
We will provide you with detailed care instructions to support healing and prevent future dental problems. Regular checkups and professional cleanings at our practice will help maintain your pet's dental health in the long term.
Frequently asked questions about dental treatment
Is dental treatment possible without anesthesia?
No, a complete examination and treatment of the oral cavity is not possible while the animal is awake. The necessary X-rays can also only be taken under anesthesia.
How much does dental treatment cost?
The cost of dental treatment is comprised of various factors, including anesthesia, diagnostics, and the treatment itself. The exact costs vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and will be explained to you transparently beforehand.
Can my pet have a toothache even if it's eating normally?
Yes, many animals continue to eat despite toothache, as eating is essential for survival. Signs such as chewing on one side only or head shyness can indicate tooth pain.
How often should professional teeth cleaning be performed?
The frequency of professional dental cleanings depends on various factors, such as breed, diet, and at-home dental care. We generally recommend regular checkups to determine your pet's individual needs.
Our specific treatments in detail:
Tooth preservation
Tooth preservation is not about removing teeth, but about maintaining them through conservative measures. If a tooth breaks and the pulp (the "nerve") is exposed, it must be treated. A broken tooth always leads to inflammation at the root tip. The extent of this inflammation varies depending on the animal's immune system, which is influenced by factors such as age and exposure to infection. There is always a risk of the root tip infection developing into a jaw abscess. To save the tooth, root canal treatment is essential. This involves removing the pulp, tightly sealing the canal with a root filling material, and then sealing it with a durable composite filling.
With prompt treatment of an exposed pulp, it may even be possible to preserve the tooth's vitality. Even a chipped tooth without pulp exposure can lead to problems and trigger jawbone lesions. Therefore, radiographic examination is advisable. All these measures aim to resolve painful acute lesions and prevent chronic damage that would mean prolonged suffering and significant distress for the animal.
Periodontology
The goal of periodontology is to maintain the health of the tooth-supporting structures, which consist of the gums, periodontal fibers, cementum, and alveolar bone. Periodontal changes are the most common diseases in dogs and cats and usually begin as early as 2-3 years of age. By the age of 6, 4 out of 5 dogs show advanced periodontal changes, which can lead to serious health problems such as liver, kidney, and heart disease. The main cause of this damage is dental plaque, which contains bacteria.
These bacteria loosen the strong bond between the tooth and gum and penetrate deeper tissue layers. Over time, they cause irreversible damage that can significantly impair the animal's overall health. Often, the extent of this damage only becomes apparent after treatment, when the dog is playful like a puppy again or the cat is much more affectionate.
Periodontitis cannot be stopped without proper periodontal treatment and thorough oral hygiene. Effective periodontal treatment requires a clinical examination of each tooth, often accompanied by dental X-rays, to identify the precise damage and determine the necessary therapy.
Special treatment methods such as scaling, root planing, curettage and guided tissue regeneration, performed with special periodontal instruments, are required to achieve a lasting improvement in the animal's periodontal health.
prophylaxis
In addition to veterinary dental treatment, the commitment of dog and cat owners is crucial. Only through the combination of at-home dental cleaning by the owners and regular oral check-ups by the veterinarian can a lasting improvement in the animal's oral health be achieved.
A large part of the consultation focuses on introducing effective oral hygiene. Daily brushing with a tasty chicken or fish toothpaste and a suitable pet toothbrush plays a central role. These measures not only contribute to dental health but also strengthen the bond between owner and pet.
prosthetics
If a tooth is so badly damaged that it can no longer be permanently restored with a filling, prosthetic measures are necessary. This includes the fabrication of a dental crown made of metal, plastic, or ceramic, which restores the tooth's shape and function.
Due to the high stresses to which the relatively long teeth are subjected, special requirements must be placed on the preparation of the tooth stump by the veterinarian and the design of the crown by the dental technician. Suitable preparation techniques and aids are used to integrate reinforcements against tensile and rotational forces into the crown to ensure sufficient load-bearing capacity.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics deals with the correction of misaligned teeth and jaw size discrepancies. Misalignments of the canines (canine teeth) in particular often require treatment. These long teeth can cause injuries to the palate or opposing teeth, which can manifest as chronic inflammation. In extreme cases, perforation of the palate into the nasal cavity can occur, potentially leading to the aspiration of food particles into the lungs.
An anterior crossbite can also lead to premature tooth loss due to uneven stress on the teeth. In many cases, orthodontic treatment can prevent further damage and achieve a physiologically correct bite.
Dental surgery
Dental surgery includes tooth extractions, apicoectomies, and operations on the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Tooth extractions are a major part of veterinary dentistry, as many teeth unfortunately cannot be saved due to advanced damage.
In dogs, it is less often carious lesions, but rather periodontal damage and complicated tooth fractures that necessitate extraction. Every second middle-aged cat suffers from the extremely painful FORL (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions). In this condition, tooth structure in the root area is dissolved by activated body cells. The dental pulp (the "nerve") remains vital for a long time, which explains the pain.
FORL (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions) are often only detected on dental X-rays, as the disease begins in the root area and only involves the crown in its final stages. Affected teeth must be extracted to eliminate pain; progression of the disease can be prevented with adjunctive medication.
Root tip resections are performed in combination with root canal treatment of the affected tooth. They are necessary when endodontic treatment alone is insufficient to reverse a root tip lesion.
Soft tissue operations such as the removal of gingival overgrowths, the repositioning of unfavorably inserted labial frenula, or the coverage of oronasal fistulas are further important tasks of dental surgery.
Oral surgery
Accidents often result in dramatic fractures of the upper and lower jaw. Due to the close occlusion, even minor deviations can quickly lead to the jaws no longer being able to close properly. Muscle tension can also cause the fractured ends to gape apart. Teeth are usually involved and also require treatment.
Unlike in humans, jaw fractures in dogs and cats can rarely be effectively treated with plate osteosynthesis alone due to their different anatomy. Instead, combinations of cerclage techniques, plastic splints or blocks, and, if necessary, osteosynthesis plates are frequently used.
Oral cavity tumors
The oral cavity is the fourth most common site for the development of malignant tumors. Due to the poor visibility of the area, these tumors are usually only detected very late, so that by the time the patient presents, large parts of the jaw have already been affected by the disease process.
Accurate and early diagnosis before tumor surgery is the foundation for successful therapy, as it allows for an estimation of the necessary extent of the operation. Therefore, tumor treatment planning is based on cytological and histopathological examination.
Due to the close proximity of important structures in the head, timely intervention is crucial. If complete surgical removal of the tumor is no longer possible, combination therapies (e.g., surgery and immunotherapy) should be considered.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas
Just like with dogs and cats, dental problems are one of the main reasons why rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas need treatment. Sharp edges often form on the wearing surfaces of the teeth, which can become embedded in the tongue or cheek, thus reducing food intake. The resulting reduced wear on the constantly growing teeth causes them to lengthen and grow in the opposite direction.
In the upper jaw, this can lead to blockage of the tear duct and watery eyes; in the lower jaw, it can cause swelling in the root area. This can lead to excessive salivation. If a pus-filled abscess develops, the situation becomes considerably more complicated. Therefore, if teeth are improperly or insufficiently worn, or if they are misaligned, immediate action must be taken to avoid serious long-term consequences.
Clipping teeth with pliers often leads to splintering. Therefore, if more than just a thin edge of a tooth needs to be removed, grinding under anesthesia should be preferred. Following a thorough examination and possibly taking dental X-rays, a targeted correction can be performed under anesthesia. If a tooth is the cause of an abscess, it usually needs to be extracted, and the abscess treated with medicated dressings to promote healing.
Summary of animal dental treatment
Our dental practice places particular emphasis on gentle anesthesia management, especially for older animals. A thorough general examination forms the basis of every dental treatment. Precise diagnostics are performed under general anesthesia, including teeth cleaning and X-rays.
After evaluating the findings, we will create a detailed treatment plan for your pet's dental care and discuss it with you. Your pet will be continuously monitored throughout the treatment.
After your pet's dental treatment, they will be taken to the recovery room. Regular follow-up care and professional cleanings contribute to long-term dental health. The cost of dental treatment varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and will be explained transparently.
Dental treatment for animals without anesthesia is not possible. Signs such as chewing on only one side or head shyness can indicate the need for dental care. The frequency of professional teeth cleaning depends on individual factors. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment for your pet's dental treatment.
The dental treatment offered at our practice aims to provide the best possible care for your pet. Thorough dental care can significantly improve your pet's well-being and quality of life.
Dental diseases are among the most common health problems in these animals. Regular dental checkups are crucial to detect sharp edges on the teeth that can become embedded in the tongue or cheek and interfere with eating. Such problems require immediate dental treatment to prevent teeth from growing in undesirable directions.
In the upper jaw, timely dental treatment can prevent teeth from blocking the tear duct and causing watery eyes. Similarly, dental treatment can prevent swelling in the lower jaw caused by uncontrolled tooth growth. If a tooth is broken, dental treatment is necessary to prevent splintering and to perform a targeted correction under anesthesia.
An abscess also requires dental treatment, in which the affected tooth is extracted and the abscess is treated with medication. Overall, regular dental care is essential to ensure the oral health of these animals and to prevent serious health problems.
A thorough examination and, if necessary, dental x-rays are part of comprehensive veterinary dental care to effectively treat malocclusions and other dental diseases. Early and regular dental treatment can significantly improve the well-being and quality of life of animals.