Professional Dental Prophylaxis (cleaning)

Once a pet has developed dental plaque, tartar, calculus and/or periodontal disease, home care is inadequate to restore a healthy mouth.  These patients are in need of professional dental prophylaxis (prophy).  Our technicians are skilled at dental prophy, and they clean and polish your pet's teeth, very similiar to a human dental hygienist.  Once the cleaning is complete, we offer digital dental radiography, which allows us to detect and treat dental disease more effectively.  Our doctors evaluate your pet's mouth and radiographs to determine if any additional treatment is needed.  We are able to perform a variety of dental procedures and have the option of referring your pet to a board certified dental specialist if needed for complex problems.

General anesthesia is required for dental prophy in pets, which makes many pet owners nervous.  We understand the risks of general anesthesia and take every precaution to make sure your pet is safe.  Preanesthetic workups are recommended for pets undergoing dental work.  Physical examination, blood work and EKG (electrocardiogram) will screen your pet for underlying diseases that can lead to anesthetic complications.  Based on this assessment, your veterinarian will advise you whether your pet is a candidate for a dental cleaning and will make a unique plan catered to your pet's health.  Anesthetic complications in healthy pets (as determined by the preanesthetic work up) are exceedingly rare, unlike the complications of untreated dental disease, which are very common.

Please contact our veterinarians at Animal Medical Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida (FL) at 727-896-7127 for more information.