At the Drake Center we recognize that periodontal disease affects nearly 85 percent of all cats and dogs over three years of age. This common disease has been associated with liver, kidney, and heart disorders. It is a frequent cause of pain and leads to poor general health. The good news is that dental disease is a preventable and treatable problem in most pets. For that reason, we provide the highest quality dental care as we strive to improve your pets’ health and comfort. Our doctors and technicians have advanced training in dentistry and therefore can provide high quality dental cleaning, radiography, and oral surgery. Each anesthetized dental patient has a team of three staff members (doctor, licensed technician, and technician assistant) in order to provide the most thorough and safest care possible. Dentistry performed at The Drake Center is very different than you would find at most other practices.
To ensure a clear understanding of how and why we are different we have provided a detail of how dental services are performed at The Drake Center.
- A full oral examination is completed
- Pre-anesthetic blood work is done to verify organ health
- A catheter is placed to support the patient and fluid therapy aids in processing anesthesia more safely.
- During the visit we obtain pre and post photographs to document oral conditions
- Our patients receive preemptive pain medication which allows patients to remain comfortable both during and after recovery. The use of pain medication actually allows us to use a lower inhalant anesthetic level which is safe even for older pets.
- Once pet has been placed under anesthesia, multi-parameter anesthetic monitoring is performed through use of EKG, pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure, and body temperature as well as visual observation by our highly trained and experienced staff.
- A Bair Hugger blanket is used during the procedure to support core body temperature which is very important
- Our licensed veterinary technician will complete the cleaning portion of the procedure and all our dental technicians have had specialized dental training.
- Each tooth is probed for irregularities and the gingival is probed for pockets.
- Large deposits of calculus are removed using forceps.
- Ultrasonic scaling is then done to further remove any remaining calculus and plaque.
- Sub-gingival hand scaling is done to remove any plaque or debris below the gum line which is very important.
- The teeth are then polished and rinsed and fluoride is applied.
- Our veterinarians have received advanced training in dentistry and perform a very complete oral examination once the teeth are free of calculus buildup. Oral radiographs are obtained to further detail the health of the teeth below the gum line and plays in important role in determining the extent of periodontal disease and therapy. Radiographs are evaluated for several factors including alveolar bone changes; inter dental bone height, periodontal ligament space and severity of bone loss.
- If extractions or additional oral surgery is necessary it is likely to be completed at that time once the doctor has consulted with owner by telephone.
- Our staff closely monitors our patients during the recovery by regularly checking vitals and maintaining comfort post procedure.
- When your pet is discharged, a full report is provided which details the procedure completed and includes thorough instructions on what you may need to do at home and how you can create a routine of home dental care to further extend the benefits of the professional cleaning.
- You may select one of several options to aid in your home care program and we will provide the support to establish a healthy and fun routine that will work for your household.
- The following day you will be contacted to make sure your pet is doing well and recovering as we expect.
We urge you to contact us and ask questions should you have any about our dentistry service. We are available seven days a week for your convenience.
Digital Dental Radiography:
Plays in important role in determining the extent of periodontal disease and therapy. Radiographs are evaluated for several factors including alveolar bone changes; inter dental bone height, periodontal ligament space and severity of bone loss. We will use radiography both to evaluate a potential damaged tooth as well as to gain a more accurate evaluation of a pet’s oral health through use of full mouth radiographs.
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Normal bone support around incisors
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Moderate bone loss around incisors
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