Tooth extractions are very common procedures that provide much-needed pain relief for our patients. While we try to provide alternative treatments first, dental extractions are necessary when oral disease or infection cannot be controlled by any other method. Prior to all extractions local dental blocks are placed to prevent pain and allow us to use less anesthetic drugs.
Common removal situations include:
- Fractured teeth that are causing pain and are at risk of infection.
- Tooth and its supporting structures have been rendered unusable and painful by periodontal disease.
- Making room for more important teeth by removing smaller secondary teeth when crowding is present—makes the entire dental system more stable.
Types of extractions:
Simple Extraction: These simple extractions occur when the tooth, crowns, and roots can be removed in one section. This is a simple and easy procedure that requires little surgical intervention with sutures only needed to properly close the extraction site.
Complex Extraction: Due to the anatomical makeup of our pet’s teeth having multiple roots, surgical extractions are often required. Cats’ and dogs’ teeth have deep roots that are tightly connected to the surrounding tissue and bone. Because of these complex structures, surgical extractions are the safest and preferred method of removal. An incision is made in the gingiva to allow access to the bone and tooth roots. Drilling is often needed to section the tooth roots and allow complete removal. Once removed the surrounding tissue is cleared of any infected material the gingival flap is replaced and sutured to allow healing.
At Elevated Pet Dentistry, only our skilled veterinarian performs these procedures with the utmost care, emphasizing patient comfort and safety. The recovery process for extractions is relatively quick, with many patients being able to eat soft food soon after the procedure, and back to full health within several days.
To learn more about tooth extractions and overall dental health, please contact Elevated Pet Dentistry today!