Veterinary Dentistry: Promoting the Health of Your Pet Through Prevention-Based Dental Care
At West Hills Animal Hospital, we are passionate about veterinary dentistry and strive to support pet owners with the most up-to-date techniques and guidance to encourage their pets' lifelong dental health.
While in previous decades pet dental health didn't get the spotlight, we now understand how dental diseases and conditions compromise health. An estimated 90% of cats and dogs over the age of three suffer from periodontal disease. Untreated dental disease can also lead to systemic infections that compromise the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. As daunting as this sounds, the good news is dental disease is preventable and advances in veterinary dentistry have now made it possible to treat even the most advanced dental conditions.
A Focus on Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention
Since dental health is integral to whole pet health, our goal is to provide those services that keep periodontal disease from occurring. This is done through biannual examinations, assessing your pet's oral health, treating conditions that have developed, and preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar through as-needed teeth cleanings. All pets receive a cleaning along with the oral exam under anesthesia for their safety and comfort.
According to AAHA guidelines, annual teeth cleanings are recommended to check for hidden pathology and to treat current dental disease. Complete oral examination and teeth cleaning is one of the most effective options for maintaining your pet's teeth and gum health. This is a safe, anesthesia-assisted procedure commonly performed at our hospital.
By maintaining annual wellness exams, we can monitor your pet’s oral health and make recommendations to abate the risk of dental disease and abnormalities affecting cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and special species.
The Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays
Many times dental diseases, and particularly those that occur below the gum line, go unnoticed until painful infections, abscesses, or tooth loss occurs. Through the use of digital dental radiology (x-rays), we can assess, diagnose, and begin treatment much more quickly, as we are not relying on more time-consuming, less detailed, traditional x-ray films.
Digital imaging allows us to rapidly share our findings with team members and associate specialists, increasing the capacity of expertise and diagnosis. Advanced therapies include complicated extractions, treatment of tooth resorption, application of bonded sealants, periodontal therapy, and root planning. We also frequently host a board certified veterinary dentist for root canal therapy and other specialized care.
For more information on our oral surgery and advanced dentistry capabilities, call us to inquire or schedule a consultation. We also offer an assortment of educational materials on veterinary procedures and at-home daily dental care.
