Anesthesia is necessary to perform dental procedures because most dental disease is located under the gum line. It is inhumane to perform uncomfortable procedures on animals without controlling discomfort.
To evaluate and clean teeth properly general anesthesia is mandatory. Some veterinarians and non-veterinarians advertise “anesthesia-free dentistry.”
The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) developed a position statement for veterinarians and the public. The AVDC prefers to use the more accurate term Non-Professional Dental Scaling (NPDS) to describe anesthesia-free dentistry. To sum up, we do not advocate NPDS.
Does your best friend have bad breath? Despite what many pet owners may believe, “dog breath” is not just a nuisance. “Dog breath” is a sign of an unhealthy mouth. Bad breath is caused by bacteria. Over time, bacteria lead to plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth. The result is bad breath, reddened gums, and other common signs of dental disease. As dental disease progresses, other signs can include drooling, discomfort while chewing, and loose or missing teeth. Even if you’re using treats and chews to help control tartar, these are frequently not enough to keep dental disease in check. Ask us about the best ways to control plaque and help protect your pet from dental disease.
Last but not least, dental disease may be a contributor to overall health conditions such as kidney failure, heart conditions, and liver disease.
Legacy Veterinary Clinic has special focus on utilizing cutting edge technology to diagnose your pet’s dentistry needs to be able to treat them properly.
A digital dental radiography image taken after a successful procedure from a lower jaw of a sweet cat in need of extraction.
