Dental Care


Dental Care

Oral health is a critical part of keeping your pet's overall health. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that over 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by three years of age. Periodontal disease is the most common disease of dogs. 

Dental services provided are:

 • Prophylaxis (thorough teeth cleaning,)
 • Thorough teeth and gum examination,
 • Subgingival curettage and root planing,
 • Therapeutic periodontal treatments,
 • Dental extractions,
 • Dental x-ray which insures complete root removal with extractions

In years past, we did not fully appreciate the importance of dental care for our pets. We did not realize that the mouth can be the window to the entire body. Since our four-legged companions are usually not whiners or complainers, we often did not know if they were in pain caused by a problem in the mouth. All too often, we have said that our pet just had "DOG BREATH" without looking for a cause or underlying problem. Fortunately, times have changed and we now consider good dental care as important as any other vital system care.

Good dental care begins with a thorough exam of the mouth. Particular attention is paid to loose or missing teeth, bad breath, accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the tooth surface, inflamed, swollen or bleeding gums, and broken teeth. A thorough history includes questions about whether the pet's appetite has decreased or whether their chewing habits have changed recently. If we determine that your pet needs professional dental prophylaxis (ie. cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatment ) , then we will obtain a blood sample to check vital organ functions such as kidney and liver function. Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream and affect the kidneys, liver, and heart, so it is vitally important that we clean the teeth and keep them clean to minimize risks to these organs.

Our professional dental prophylaxis involves general anesthesia tailored to your pet's specific situation and needs. We hand and ultrasonically scale each tooth both above and below the gumline if periodontal pockets exist. If necessary, we will take oral x-rays to assess the health of the tooth root and perform any necessary extractions. We take dental pain very seriously and make every effort possible to prevent pain from any dental procedure. This includes local nerve blocks as well as general systemic pain medication. Once the procedure is finished, we polish and apply a fluoride treatment to the teeth.

After a dental prophy is performed on your pet, the most important aspect of ongoing preventive care begins. This involves brushing, special dental chews, and a variety of other methods of home care. Our highly trained and helpful staff can assist you in developing a program that works the best for your individual pet. Our goal is to help you help your beloved companion to have the healthiest mouth possible!

Admiral Veterinary Hospital
204 N Watt Road
Knoxville, TN 37934


For general information, questions, appointment requests, call us at:

(865) 675-1833

Email Us: info@admiralvet.com



Hours

Monday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday 7:30am - 7:00pm

Wednesday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Thursday 7:30am - 7:00pm

Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed