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Tooth Extraction in Pets

Surgical Extraction

Why does my pet need to have teeth surgically extracted?

During your dental consultation, a veterinary dentist will discuss why surgical extractions may be recommended for your pet. The common reasons include:

• Advanced periodontal disease
• Stomatitis (severe oral inflammation)
• Abscessed tooth
• Crowded teeth
• Fractured tooth
• Traumatic occlusion
• Persistent (retained) deciduous tooth
• Dead (non-vital) teeth

What is a surgical extraction?

A tooth extraction by definition is removal of a tooth, but to perform a surgical extraction generally requires the dentist going deeper below the gum line, (by creating a gingival flap, splitting a multi-rooted tooth and drilling away bone). A veterinary oral surgeon uses surgical techniques for removal of a tooth and tooth roots into alveolar bone.

All patients at ADC receive pre and post-operative radiographs during a surgical procedure. Digital radiographs provide a fast and comprehensive internal examination of all of your pet’s teeth. This is superior diagnostic tool that is required for evaluation of teeth before, during and after all treatments in the mouth, especially when surgically extracting a tooth.

Performing surgical extractions is a painful procedure and providing appropriate pain control for your pet is our top priority at ADC. We base our analgesic protocols on a case-by-case basis; not every patient is the same and some procedures are more invasive than others. We will base your pet’s pain control medications on the health status, age, bloodwork results of your pet and surgical procedure they require. Your pet may receive a local nerve block prior to the surgical extraction. This nerve block will provide your pet with localized pain control during the procedure as well as in their recovery.

After your pet’s procedure, we will call to schedule a discharge appointment. During this appointment, a veterinarian will go over radiographs, pictures, or other imaging media taken during the procedure, medications to be sent home and other patient specific home care instructions.

What to expect when I bring my pet home?

After a surgical extraction is performed, there are dissolvable sutures in the mouth. Soft food will be recommended to insure proper healing. Keeping your pet quiet and comfortable is recommended.

Common symptoms to expect following extractions include:

• Facial swelling for 24-48 hours.
• Blood tinged saliva from the mouth.
• Discharge from the nose. If an oronasal fistula was present, you may notice blood tinged discharge from the nose.
• Pawing at the face. Occasionally pets may experience a tingly feeling which could be associated from a local nerve block, sutures, or the “strange” feeling they may have from abruptly missing a tooth.

What can I do to prevent future surgical extractions?

To prevent future surgical extractions please read our At Home Pet Dental Care page.