General Dentistry Department

This procedure involves removing tartar and plaque from the teeth and under the gum using an ultrasound instrument. A professional dental scaling is done under general anesthesia which enables our team to work efficiently and safely in the mouth of your animal. The veterinarian ensures that your pet receives all the appropriate care and treatment during the procedure.

Dental problems are not limited to the visible portion of the tooth. For this reason, dental radiographs are essential to evaluate the internal portion of the teeth, the roots and the bone that surrounds the roots. Radiographs are indicated in all patients to assess whether there is infection or injury in the roots. Radiography allows the veterinarian to make a diagnosis and establish an appropriate treatment plan. Control radiographs are also taken following dental extractions.

A tooth is extracted when an irreversible pathology is diagnosed. There are several indications for removing a tooth. These include:

• Mobility (a tooth can be mobile due to an infection, trauma, fracture...)
• Severe loss of attachment and/or root exposure
• Infection
• Lesions causing discomfort or pain to the animal (damage to the neck of the tooth, dental resorption, cavities)

The decision to extract a tooth is always made in the best interest of the patient considering the risks and benefits of the extraction. The cost of extraction depends on the time required to complete the procedure. Your veterinarian will discuss alternatives to extractions, if any, and may refer you to a dentistry specialist as needed.

Certain pathologies such as occlusion problems and retained baby teeth can be diagnosed from the first visits of your pet to a veterinarian. In many cases, the rapid treatment of these conditions will allow your pet's permanent dentition to develop normally.

Over 70% of cats and dogs over the age of 2 have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is associated with bad breath, but it can also lead to tooth loss and several other major health consequences.
Our team can offer you a vast range of care adapted to your pet, such as preventive care, root planning and synthetic bone grafts.

About 25% of dogs suffer from teeth fractures without direct pulp exposure. These fractures may, however; increase the risk of developing a painful lesion at the apex of the root. To limit this risk, our veterinarians can apply a sealant on the fractured tooth.

Preoperative biochemistry is a blood test that mainly helps to evaluate the liver and kidney function. The anesthetic products are mostly metabolized and eliminated by these organs hence the importance of checking that they work properly! Depending on the age and condition of the patient, the veterinarian may recommend complete or partial blood work. The results allow us to adapt the selection of drugs for each patient. The preoperative test results also provide us with a database of your pet's normal values for future reference.

An anesthesiologist is in charge of developing a personalized anesthetic plan for each patient. During the procedure, the technician and the veterinarian closely monitor several vital parameters of the patient, including heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature and oxygen saturation. We may also evaluate certain blood parameters as needed during the procedure, such as the patient's blood glucose or oxygenation. We use a gas to anesthetize animals called Isoflurane. It is a safe gas that allows patients to wake up quickly after the procedure. Patients who will undergo dental surgery will also receive local analgesia, which will desensitize a portion of the jaw temporarily, to keep general anesthesia to a minimum and ensure comfort upon waking. Our patients are placed under intravenous fluid therapy during the procedure. Thus we have direct access to a vein at all times in case of major problem for the administration of emergency drugs. It also speeds up the removal of certain anesthetic agents and helps maintain proper hydration, blood pressure and blood circulation throughout anesthesia.

Each patient receiving dental care at the hospital is discharged the day after the procedure. It is important to ensure the patient's condition and comfort when waking up and in the hours following the procedure, especially if there have been dental extractions. We have on-site technicians and veterinarians 24 hours a day to ensure a safer follow-up.

Did you know that some dog toys can cause dental fractures? Dogs can break their enamel by chewing on hard objects such as bones, rocks and some commercial toys. Our team can advise you in choosing safer toys for your pet.

Our team can advise you on the dental care of your pet at home.
• Brushing teeth
• Dental diets
• Dental treats
• Wipes, additives to drinking water, other