Poor dental care can lead to dental disease in pets. Animals of any age range are susceptible to certain severe oral diseases that may require surgeries. Regular pet dental check-ups help identify these issues early and provide the appropriate treatment.
Your pet might need essential procedures, such as oral surgery, for many reasons. They could need it to remove abnormal growths, correct oral issues, or fix a broken jaw. Advanced-trained veterinarians are equipped to perform various surgical techniques to prevent and treat dental disorders.
Different Dental Care Surgeries
Cats and dogs can benefit from various dental procedures to meet their requirements. Here are some of the most popular procedures for both felines and canines:
Surgical Tooth Extraction
Most veterinary clinics frequently undertake tooth extractions as an essential dental operation. While some teeth are relatively easy to extract, others present particular challenges that necessitate surgical tooth extraction. It’s important to note that a regular tooth extraction differs from a surgical one.
Surgical tooth extraction involves making an incision in the gum tissue, requiring sutures afterward to close it. Specialized tools may also be used to carefully extract the entire tooth without damaging the surrounding areas or structures like blood vessels and nerves.
After your pet’s procedure, they may experience discomfort and swelling. The best dentist for your pet can prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to manage discomfort and prevent infection. You must follow their post-operative care instructions closely to ensure your furry friend’s speedy and successful recovery.
Orthodontic Surgery
Orthodontic pet surgery is a specialized dental procedure used to correct severe malocclusions or jaw deformities that cannot be corrected with traditional orthodontic treatment alone. Generally, a veterinarian with additional orthodontic training does this kind of surgery.
Orthodontic pet surgery may involve several techniques, depending on the underlying cause of jaw or dental issues. Common options include:
Mandibular or Maxillary Osteotomy
This procedure involves surgically repositioning the lower jaw (mandible) or upper jaw (maxilla) to improve bite function and facial aesthetics. It may be recommended for pets with severe jaw deformities or malocclusions that cannot be corrected through orthodontic appliances alone.
Alveolar Distraction Osteogenesis
This technique involves gradually lengthening the jawbone to correct jaw length discrepancies. It may be employed when both upper and lower jaws are misaligned.
Palatal Expansion
Palate expansion is a surgical procedure used to expand the palate to correct narrow arches and improve bite function. This procedure may be recommended for pets with crossbites or other dental abnormalities that affect jaw alignment between the upper and lower jaws.
Genioplasty
Genioplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the chin to improve facial balance and aesthetics. It may be recommended for pets with significant underbites or overbites.
Oral Cancer Surgery
Both cats and dogs can develop oral cancer. Most cases of oral malignancies can be successfully treated through surgery if detected early. That’s why regular check-ups with your veterinarian, including dental evaluation, are vital. Note that most oral/maxillofacial (affecting jaw/face) tumors require extensive surgical resection (removal).
Surgery is a successful treatment option for pets with oral cancer that helps remove malignant tissue and improve their overall well-being. Consult an expert in animal cancer or visit a website like https://www.tricoanimalclinic.com/site/veterinary-services-louisa/internal-medicine before deciding if surgery is your furry friend’s best course of action.
Conclusion
Book a dental exam for your pet to know if it might need any oral surgeries. Your veterinarian can assess their dental health and suggest necessary surgeries, keeping your furry friend healthy and content over the years. Prevention is key with any disease, so early action is vital.
