Dentistry

Dentistry is an important part of your pet’s health care. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for the overall health and well-being of the pet. The specialization of a Veterinary Dentist is the care of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity of dogs and cats.

When to apply to Veterinary Dentist?

You have to contact your Veterinary Dentist if you notice the following symptoms:

        •       Bad breath (halitosis): this could be a sign of infection or dental problems.
        •       Gum bleeding: bleeding or swollen gums often indicate gingivitis or periodontitis.
        •       Decreased appetite or difficulty eating: if a pet avoids solid food or eats less, it may be due to toothache.
        •       Tooth loss: any tooth loss or chipping.
        •       Changes in tooth colour: darkened or yellowed teeth.
        •       Salivation.
        •       Gum atrophy: if the gums appear receded or the teeth roots are visible.
        •       Mouth formations or wounds: any unusual formations or ulcers in the mouth cavity.

Most common dental procedures performed for dogs and cats:

        1.      Teeth cleaning and polishing (often performed prophylactically)
        •       this procedure involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, followed by polishing the teeth. It helps prevent gum disease and gum redness.
        2.      Tooth extraction:
        •       in case of severely damaged, infected teeth, it may be recommended to extract them. It reduces pain and prevents further infections (general anaesthesia is used).
        3.      Gingivoplasty:
        •       it is a surgical procedure that adjusts the gums to remove excess gum tissue or treat periodontitis.
        4.      Periodontal surgery:
        •       procedure used to treat severe gum disease that involves removing infected or damaged parts of the gum tissue.
        5.      Endodontics (dental canal treatment):
        •       performed to save the tooth by treating its root canal and removing infected tissue.
        6.      Removal of oral tumours:
        •       surgical removal of tumours or other abnormal formations from the oral cavity.

Course of dental consultation

        1.      Initial evaluation: a Veterinarian will perform a thorough examination of the oral cavity, teeth, and gums.
        2.      Diagnostics: X-ray examinations may be performed to evaluate the tooth roots and surrounding tissues more thoroughly.
        3.      Treatment plan: a treatment plan will be developed that may include conservative treatment or surgical interventions based on the results of examinations.
        4.      Surgery (if necessary): If surgical intervention is required, the doctor will explain the procedure, risks, and recovery process.
        5.      Post-operative care: it is important to follow a Veterinarian’s instructions regarding post-operative care after the surgery that includes prescribing medications by applying a special diet, and performing oral hygiene procedures.

Prevention and oral hygiene at home

To keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy, it is important to take care of their oral hygiene at home:

        •       Regular cleaning: brush your pet’s teeth daily with special brushes and toothpaste for pets.
        •       Proper nutrition: specially balanced diet for dental health can help reduce plaque build-up.
        •       Treats: use special teething treats to clean teeth naturally.
 

The most common dental procedures performed on dogs and cats:

1. Teeth cleaning and polishing (often performed as a preventive measure)
   This procedure involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, followed by polishing the teeth. This helps prevent gum disease and gum redness.
2. Tooth extraction
   In the case of severely damaged, infected teeth, their extraction may be recommended. This reduces pain and prevents further infections (general anesthesia is used).
3. Gingivoplasty
   This is a surgical procedure that corrects the gums in order to remove excess or treat periodontitis.
4. Periodontal surgery
   A procedure designed to treat severe gum disease, when it is necessary to remove infected or damaged parts of the gum tissue.
5. Endodontics (tooth root canal treatment)
   Performed to save the tooth by treating its root canal and removing infected tissue.
6. Oral Tumor Removal
   Surgical removal of tumors or other abnormal growths from the oral cavity.
7. Orthodontics
   This procedure is designed to correct tooth and jaw deformities. Orthodontic plates or braces are used to restore the correct bite.
8. Metal crowning
   This is a restorative procedure when damaged or weakened teeth are strengthened by placing a metal crown. This procedure not only protects the tooth from further decay, but also restores its shape and function.
9. Salivary gland removal
   The procedure is used in cases of inflammatory processes of the salivary glands, mucoceles or other pathologies. The affected glands are removed to improve the condition of the animal.
10. Ozone therapy
    This is a modern procedure used to disinfect the oral cavity and promote tissue healing. Ozone therapy is effective in treating periodontitis, wounds or infections in the oral area.
11. Jaw surgery
    ​This is a group of procedures that includes various treatments for the jaw area:
12. Oral soft tissue surgery:

• Lipoplasty, palateoplasty, when it is necessary to correct soft tissue defects.
• Jaw hard tissue surgery: Fixation of jaw fractures in order to restore bone structure after trauma.
• Jaw tumor removal: Surgical intervention to remove formations in the oral cavity - gums and jaw bone tumors or other neoplasias.

Proper dental care is essential for your pet’s health and comfort of life. Regular checks and timely intervention can help prevent serious problems. If you notice any oral health symptoms, contact a Veterinary Dentist immediately. This will ensure that your dog or cat receives their required timely care.


Head of Department, Veterinarian Ernesta Vercinskaitė

Doctors of Department:

Veterinarian Tomas Nagreckis
Veterinarian Gabrielė Basytė
Veterinarian Ignė Tomašiūnė