Tooth extractions are very common procedures that provide much-needed relief for our patients. While we try to provide alternative treatments first, dental extractions are necessary when oral disease or infection cannot be controlled by any other method.
Common removal situations include:
- Fractured teeth that are causing pain and are at risk of infection.
- Tooth and its supporting structures have been rendered unusable by periodontal disease.
- Making room for more important teeth by removing smaller secondary teeth—this makes the entire dental system more stable.
Types of extractions:
Single root. These simple extractions occur when the tooth, crowns and roots can be removed in one section. This is a simple and easy procedure that requires little surgical intervention, only needed to properly close the extraction site.
Surgical and multi-rooted. Due to the anatomical makeup of canine and feline teeth, surgical extractions are often required. A cat and dogs teeth have deep roots that are tightly connected to the surrounding tissue. Due to these complex structures, surgical extractions are the safest and preferred method of removal for pets. A small incision is made to release the roots at their base and the surrounding tissue is cleaned out and treated—the tooth is then removed and the incision is sutured closed.
At The Dental Center at East Padden, our skilled veterinary dentists perform these procedures with utmost care, emphasizing patient comfort and safety. The recovery process for extractions is relatively quick, with many patients being able to eat soft food soon after the procedure, and back to full health within several days.