Your pet is likely a victim of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease refers to the destruction of the supporting apparatus of the tooth, including the bone and periodontal ligament that hold the tooth in the socket. Periodontal disease is the most common reason for pets to lose teeth and is the most commonly diagnosed medical condition in mature dogs and cats. In fact, most dogs and cats over the age of five years suffer from periodontal disease.
At Animal Dental Care & Oral Surgery we are experts in treatment and prevention of periodontal disease by comprehensive anesthetized dental scaling, polishing, root planing, gingival surgery and guided tissue regeneration.
Periodontal Disease Diagnosis & Treatment
The proper diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease for your pet will alleviate oral pain that often is not noticed and greatly improve their quality of life.
Periodontal disease takes place mainly under the gum line, hidden from your view. Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial infection and the response of the patient to that infection. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the voids that form under the gums, trapping debris and infectious material. Treatment may involve reduction of overgrown gums, surgical exposure of roots, meticulous cleaning of all root surfaces so that healing can take place, and the placement of graft materials to help replace missing bone.
We frequently find small lesions that are causing big problems. Just because a tooth is not loose does not mean that there isn’t a problem or discomfort. Dental radiographs are absolutely required to guide appropriate treatment for periodontal disease. Without dental X-rays, painful problems will remain undetected.
Surgical treatment of periodontal disease.
In some cases, deeper areas of periodontal disease with bone loss can be surgically treated to regenerate the bone, heal the void under the gum line and save important teeth. This form of treatment, termed “open root planing”, creates an environment for the normal supporting tissues of the tooth to regenerate.
Gingival Hyperplasia
Overgrown gum tissues commonly occur and allow debris to collect under the gum line. This is very common in boxers and can be caused by certain medications. This form of periodontal disease is easily treatable by surgical removal of the overgrown tissues. We use a radiosurgical unit for this procedure, which results in very little bleeding and rapid healing of the tissues.
Hidden Dental Disease Likely Lurks Below Your Pet's Gumline
Dental radiographs are absolutely required to guide appropriate treatment for periodontal disease. Without dental X-rays, painful problems will remain undetected.
