Damaged teeth can lead to serious oral conditions and infections that can impact your dog's overall health. By removing the infected teeth, your vet can help restore their oral health. In this post, our Concord veterinarians explain the purpose of tooth extractions in dogs, why they may be needed and what you should know about the process and recovery.
When are tooth extractions necessary?
A dog will usually need a tooth extraction if they have a tooth or teeth that are damaged beyond repair. This procedure can prevent serious infection, as well as pain, from developing. Dogs often require tooth extractions to live pain-free lives and achieve ideal oral health.
During this procedure, your vet may remove the entire tooth, including the roots, or just the visible portion above the gum line. They may also remove one or more teeth depending on the circumstances.
What happens during your dog's tooth extraction?
Roots hold each of your dog's teeth in place. As many as three roots may hold an individual tooth in place. To complete a tooth extraction, your vet will need to remove all of the roots attached to the tooth.
Anesthesia will be used to sedate your dog during this dental surgery. Our veterinarians practice stringent surgical protocols while operating on our patients, including using well-maintained equipment in a sterilized environment. This ensures your pup's safety during every step of the surgical process.
Your vet may need to take an X-ray of your dog's mouth to assess the length and position of their roots. Large teeth will have multiple roots and be split with a high-speed dental drill so that every fragment of the tooth has only one root attached to it. A smaller root that has only a single root attached can be removed without your vet taking this extra step.
Potential Complications with Dog Tooth Extraction Surgery
After your dog has a tooth extraction, complications are rare. Even so, they are possible. If they do occur, they typically fall into a few categories: incomplete healing of dental cavities, remnants of removed teeth, or damage to their jaw bone.
Tooth Extraction Recovery & After Care
Recovery immediately after a tooth extraction is pretty straightforward and you should be able to bring your dog home the same day as their procedure. While there might be a little bit of blood in their saliva, there shouldn't be any significant bleeding. If there is, contact your vet right away.
After your dog's tooth extraction, you should avoid giving them dry kibble. This is to prevent pain and injury to their mouth. If your dog eats primarily hard kibble, it can be softened in water before you serve it to them. For similar reasons, we also recommend that you avoid playing tug-of-war until your dog has fully recovered.
The Cost of Tooth Extractions for Dogs
The cost of a dog's tooth extraction will vary from clinic to clinic and from pet to pet. This is because several different factors contribute to the final cost.
This can be the location of the clinic and the expertise of the practitioner as well as the type of equipment used. The age and species of your pet also play a role in the final amount that you will pay.
Please speak with your vet to discuss the estimate of the cost for your pet and a breakdown of the bill.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please visit your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.