Extractions

Dental Extractions

Tooth extraction is one of the most common treatments (second only to scaling and polishing) that are performed as part of our COHATs. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” with surgical extractions. The decision to remove a tooth is based on the tooth in question, the level AND type of disease, the pets’ overall health and behaviours, and the owner’s ability/willingness for follow-up care and home oral hygiene. Our patients have “42 and 30 tiny patients” (dogs have 42 permanent teeth and cats have 30), and they all get their own treatment plan. There are many reasons to consider extraction of a tooth, including severe periodontal disease, fracture/non-vitality (see Endodontics for other treatment options), persistent deciduous (baby) teeth, and traumatic malocclusions (see Endodontics and Orthodontics for other treatment options) just to name a few. In addition to systemic analgesics (pain medications), all patients also receive a local/regional nerve block prior to surgery and a postoperative radiograph to confirm complete extraction.