Regular professional cleaning by your veterinarian is the most effective way to insure good dental health for your pet. A proper dental cleaning requires general anesthesia. A pre-anesthetic blood screen may be needed prior to general anesthesia to evaluate your pet’s liver function. When your pet will be under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will check all of the teeth and the gums to find if any irregularities exist. To remove tartar and polish your pet’s teeth, ultrasonic equipment and special instruments will be used. Every tooth is examined and all the tartar is removed above and below the gum line. Most dentals are done within one hour and do not require overnight stay, unless extensive treatment was performed, such as a tooth extraction, gum flap surgery, or a root canal. Good dental care today can prevent more severe problems that will occur with time if left untreated. To arrange for your pet free dental exam with one of our skilled technicians, please call our office for an appointment. We want to insure that your pet will receive the dental care needed to fully enjoy the upcoming years.