We have recommended that your pet receive a dental procedure. Dental procedures can be recommended for a broad range of conditions from moderate dental tartar and gingivitis to severe periodontal disease, fractured teeth, and tooth root abscesses.
While humans are able to undergo dental work without general anesthesia, pets are not. The main reason we must anesthetize your pet for his dental procedure is because, even though he might be the sweetest, most cooperative patient in the world, he will not remain motionless and hold his mouth open for an hour of noisy ultrasonic scaling, polishing, drilling, and splashing water. Additionally, most pets that are in need of a dental procedure have some degree of gingivitis. Our dental hygienists use scalers to scrape away the tartar that has formed in the deep pocket between the tooth root and the gums, and this procedure can be quite painful as the area is very sensitive.
In order to eliminate pain, distress, and fear during the dental procedure, your pet will be given a general anesthesia. The added benefit to a general anesthesia is that your pet will have no memory of the experience.
If your pet is a senior citizen, your veterinarian may recommend pre-procedure blood work to help ensure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. If tooth extractions are required, your vet will also dispense pain medication and antibiotics to go home with you after the procedure. These costs vary depending on the size and age of the animal. Your vet will give you a detailed estimate of anticipated costs involved in your pet’s upcoming dental procedure.
In order to put dental costs into perspective, we have created a chart comparing our costs with those you would expect to pay at your own dentist if you did not have dental insurance for yourself. (Please note that dental insurance is available for your pet! http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.ca/)
Procedure | Your Own Dentist | Your Pet’s Dentist |
Dental exam | $79.00 | Complimentary |
Xray (up to three teeth) | $63.00 | $42.40 |
Scaling (30 minutes) | $110.00 | $81.00 - $114.00 |
Polishing (10 minutes) | $50.00 | $27.00 - $38.00 |
Extraction (per tooth) | $169.00 - $325.00 | $126.40 - $174.40 |
General anesthesia | Not done | $213.60 |
IV fluids | Not done | $44.00 |
Not only are dental procedures not much fun for our pets, they can be a tough pill to swallow financially as well. We understand that you want to minimize the number of dental visits your pet has to make in his lifetime. For that reason, our dental hygienists can demonstrate tips on how to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy once they have been professionally scaled and polished. Daily dental care at home will also allow you to be immediately aware of any problem areas as they arise, so that there are no big surprises down the road.
Animals hide their dental pain well. Even a pet with multiple abscessed teeth will still continue to eat, drink, and play despite their pain. It is our job to ensure that they do not have to endure discomfort in silence. Please contact your veterinarian if you have more questions regarding your pet’s dental needs.
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