Dentistry and Dental Digital X-Rays

Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia is proud to be the first veterinary hospital in Sedalia to offer digital dental x-rays. The ability to see what is beneath the gum line allows our doctors to accurately diagnose your pet's dental needs. 

For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been a part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Just like you, your pet needs dental care too. Proper dental care is vital for the continued good health of your pet. If undetected, dental disease results in infected gums, bad breath, and tooth loss, not to mention pain and discomfort. Periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease in dongs and cats. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three are already showing signs of periodontal disease. Many of these have progressed to a stage which is not reversible. 

Our comprehensive dental treatment plan begins in the exam room. Prior to scheduling your pet's dental procedure, our doctor will assess the pet while they are awake to ensure that they are a good anesthetic candidate and grade the level of your pet's periodontal disease so that we can give you an accurate treatment plan estimate. Veterinary dentistry requires general anesthesia, similar to "sleep dentistry" in people who are uneasy with dental procedures. Anesthesia is maintained with isoflurane gas and oxygen through a breathing tube which is placed into the trachea (windpipe).  Pre-anesthetic blood work and an intravenous catheter and fluids is recommended for all anesthetics and required for all pets over the age of seven and pet's with certain medical conditions.  After the doctor has answered any questions or concerns that you have, the dental procedure is scheduled. 

Our professional dental cleaning includes:

• Initial examination of the mouth, teeth and gums to note the extent of dental disease. A probe is used to measure the pocket depth and is recorded in a detailed dental report that is sent home with you. 
• Digital dental radiographs (x-rays) are taken of the entire mouth. This allows the doctor to accurately diagnose any diseased, fractured, or infected teeth that may be present. 
• An ultrasonic scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar from each surface of each individual tooth. A periodontal ultrasonic tip is inserted into any existing pockets to clean any tartar that is beneath the gum line. 
• The exterior of each tooth is polished with a fluoride paste to remove any stains and smooth any indentations from the tooth surfaces.
• The mouth is flushed with an oral disinfectant.
• Another examination of the mouth is performed to ensure each tooth has been thoroughly cleaned. 

Extractions are performed by the doctor only when a tooth is permanently damaged or severely decayed. Often, the ligaments which hold the teeth firmly in the mouth have been softened and destroyed by long term exposure to infection. A nerve block is performed prior to the extraction of any teeth. After the doctor has extracted the tooth, the socket is flushed and the gingival tissue is sutured shut to speed healing and reduce patient discomfort. Pets who have had teeth extracted are given pain medication to ensure a comfortable recovery. If gingivitis or infection is present, antibiotics may be necessary.