When are Dental Extractions Required?

Dental extractions in pets are performed when a tooth is severely damaged or diseased and cannot be saved through other means. Some of the most common reasons why dental extractions may be necessary in pets include:

1. Severe tooth decay or damage: If a tooth is severely decayed, fractured, or damaged, it may need to be extracted to prevent further pain, infection, or damage to surrounding teeth and gums.
2. Periodontal disease: Advanced periodontal disease can cause tooth roots to become loose and infected, which can result in significant pain and discomfort for the pet. In such cases, tooth extractions may be necessary to stop the spread of infection and prevent further damage to the mouth.
3. Overcrowding: In some cases, a pet's mouth may become overcrowded, leading to malocclusion or other dental problems. Extracting one or more teeth can help create more space and improve the alignment of the remaining teeth.
4. Tumours or growths: If a pet has a tumour or growth on the gum line, it may need to be removed along with the affected tooth to prevent the spread of cancerous cells.
5. Trauma: If a pet has suffered trauma to the mouth or jaw, it may cause significant damage to the teeth and gums, which may require dental extractions to repair.

Dental extractions are typically performed under general anaesthesia to ensure the pet is comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. The veterinarian will carefully remove the affected tooth and take steps to ensure the pet's gums and surrounding teeth are protected and healthy. After the procedure, the pet will need to rest and avoid eating hard or chewy foods for a period of time to allow the gums to heal. With proper post-operative care and follow-up appointments, most pets recover well from dental extractions and enjoy improved oral health and wellbeing.

When might there be an alternative to dental extractions?

Healthy teeth that are wrongly positioned in the mouth and are causing pain

A condition commonly occurring in young dogs, where the teeth in the lower jaw pierce into the soft tissue of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed, can be corrected via a crown amputation and vital pulpotomy. This is performed by a specialist veterinary dentist, who can reduce the height of the tooth and then preserve the sensitive living part of the tooth (the pulp) by adding a filling.

Other potential options for these conditions include orthodontic therapy, such as inclined plane or ball therapy. An assessment by a specialist is required to determine which (if any) of these may be an option for your pet.

Fractured or dead (non-vital) teeth

Where the tooth itself is no longer vital (is dead), but the surrounding structures that hold the tooth in place are healthy, root canal therapy may be an option. This is another specialist veterinary dental procedure that involves removing the diseased living part of the tooth, thoroughly cleaning and reshaping the root canal, sealing the root canal to prevent infection, and then applying a filling.

With all specialist veterinary dental procedures, periodic follow-ups for x-rays and assessments are required following the procedure.

It's important to note that not all dental conditions can be treated with alternatives to dental extractions. In some cases, extraction may be the best and most effective option for restoring the pet's oral health and well-being. The best course of action will depend on the individual's case and the pet's specific needs, as determined by a qualified veterinarian.

Why Does Dentistry for My Pet Cost So Much?

The main point of difference between animal dentistry and human dentistry is the need for general anaesthesia. Whilst your dentist can ask you to sit in the chair holding your mouth open indefinitely, this is not something we can do with our animal patients. Additionally, the cost of dentistry may be subsidised by the government if conducted at a public hospital, or by your private health insurance.

The cost of human dental care in Australia can also vary widely depending on the procedure and location of the dental clinic. According to a 2022 report by the Australian Dental Association, the average cost of a routine dental check-up and cleaning in Australia is around $219, while the cost of a single tooth extraction can range from $90-$750, depending on its complexity. More complex procedures like root canal therapy or crown placement can be significantly more expensive, ranging from $900 to $3,400 and $1,100 to $2,000 per tooth.

Using dental extractions under general anaesthesia as an example, for a human, this would be broken down into:

• The cost of performing the extractions (recently estimated at $1900 for three surgical extractions for a member of our practice)
• The hospital fee
• The anaesthesia fee
• Additional medications

We have a similar overall cost structure in veterinary dentistry. Additionally, the cost of performing the extractions includes:

• Dental nerve blocks
• X-ray plates and processing
• Interpretation of the radiographs - for us, this includes the SignalSmile AI tool
• Time and instruments to carefully clean each tooth and the surrounding gum line
• Skills in soft tissue surgery, in order to create access to the tooth and then to close the site post-extraction
• In the case of surgical extractions, skills in hard tissue surgery, where we use high-speed dental burs and drills

For more detail on how surgical extractions are achieved, check out this article by the specialists at Advanced Animal Dentistry.

Overall, both veterinary and human dental care can be expensive, and the costs may vary depending on the procedure's specifics and the clinic's location. It's important for pet owners and patients to discuss costs and payment options with their veterinary or dental care provider to make informed decisions about their care.