It is possible that tooth extractions will be required in order to alleviate pain and allow the mouth of your dog to heal. Our Seattle veterinarians are providing some information about tooth extractions in dogs today so that owners are aware of what to anticipate during the procedure.
Dog Tooth Extractions
Tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that a veterinarian may perform on a dog in order to remove one or more teeth. The dental crown, which is the portion of the tooth that is visible above the gums, may be removed along with the rest of the tooth during an extraction. The extraction may go as deep as the roots.
Why a Tooth Extraction is Necessary
It is essential to remove a tooth that has been damaged beyond the point of repair in order to prevent infection from developing and to prevent your dog from experiencing pain as a result of the tooth that has degenerated. Extraction of teeth from dogs is frequently required in order to provide the animal with a pain-free life and to achieve optimal oral health.
Following Your Dog's Tooth Extraction
The roots of each of your dog's teeth are what keep them in place in his or her mouth. It's possible that a single tooth is being held in place by as many as three different roots. To correctly and completely extract a tooth, it is necessary to remove all of the roots.
Your dog will be under the effects of anesthesia during his or her dental surgery. Our veterinarians practice stringent surgical protocols while operating on our patients.
To check how healthy the roots of your dog's teeth are, the vet may need to take an X-ray or perform a CT scan. Large teeth - those with multiple roots - are split using a high-speed dental drill so that every fragment of the tooth has only one root attached to it. Smaller teeth that have a single tooth root can be removed in their entirety without this extra step.
Potential Dog Tooth Extraction Complications
Tooth extractions performed by veterinarians almost never result in complications. During a dog tooth extraction, complications that do occur typically fall into one of several categories. These categories include dental cavities that have not fully healed, remnants of teeth that have been removed, and damage to the jaw bone. All of these are potential areas of complications that may occur.
Your Dog's Recovery From a Tooth Extraction
The recovery period that follows a tooth extraction procedure ought to be relatively short, and you ought to be able to take your pet home on the same day that the procedure was performed. Despite the fact that there might be some blood in their saliva, there shouldn't be any significant bleeding that takes place. Immediately get in touch with your veterinarian if there is.
Our Seattle veterinarians advise that you refrain from giving your dog any hard foods for a period of time until the affected area has healed. If the majority of the food that your dog consumes is hard kibble, you can consider softening it in water before giving it to them. In a similar vein, we strongly advise that you refrain from playing tug-of-war with your dog until he has fully recovered from his injury.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.