When are tooth extractions necessary?
Dogs usually have a tooth extraction when they have a tooth or teeth that are damaged beyond repair. This is to prevent serious infection from developing as well as pain. Dog tooth extractions are often needed for the animal to live pain-free and achieve ideal oral health.
During this procedure, your vet might take out the whole tooth, including the roots, or just the visible part above the gums. They also remove one or more teeth depending on the circumstances.
What happens during your dog's tooth extraction?
Each one of your dog's teeth is held in place with roots. As many as three roots may be holding an individual tooth in place. To complete a tooth extraction, your vet will need to remove all of the attached roots.
Anesthesia will be used to sedate your dog during their dental surgery. Our veterinarians practice stringent surgical protocols while operating on our patients including the use of well-maintained equipment in a sterile environment. This ensures their safety through every step of the surgical process.
Your vet may need to take an X-ray of your dog's mouth to help determine the length and positioning of their roots. Large teeth (ones 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. When a smaller tooth that only has a single root attached can be removed without this extra step.
Possible 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. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.