What Happens During a Dog Dental Cleaning

You bring your dog to the clinic. The vet tech confirms your contact information, reviews the treatment plan, and takes your dog to the treatment area. You sign a consent form authorizing the procedure and potential extractions.

A complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry panel check liver and kidney function, blood cell counts, and clotting ability. These results confirm your dog can safely metabolise anesthesia drugs. If anything is abnormal, the vet will call you before proceeding.

An IV catheter is placed in a front leg. Pre-anesthetic sedation is given to relax the dog and reduce the amount of induction drug needed. The induction drug is administered through the IV to render the dog unconscious. An endotracheal tube is placed in the trachea to maintain the airway and deliver gas anesthesia throughout the procedure.

With the dog under anesthesia, full-mouth radiographs are taken using small dental X-ray sensors placed inside the mouth. These images reveal bone loss around tooth roots, root abscesses, tooth resorption, retained root fragments, and other pathology invisible on visual exam. Research shows 40% to 75% of dental disease exists below the gumline.

Ultrasonic scaling removes tartar above and below the gumline. Hand instruments (curettes) clean subgingival pockets where bacteria collect. A periodontal probe measures pocket depth around each tooth to assess disease severity. Finally, polishing with a rubber cup and prophylaxis paste smooths microscopic scratches in the enamel to slow future tartar accumulation.

The vet reviews the X-rays and probing findings for each tooth and creates a treatment plan. If extractions are needed, the vet or vet tech calls you to discuss findings, explain which teeth need to come out and why, provide a cost estimate, and get your authorization.

Teeth that cannot be saved are extracted using the appropriate technique: simple elevation for single-rooted teeth with significant bone loss, sectioning and elevated removal for multi-rooted teeth, or surgical extraction with gum flap and bone removal for firmly anchored or fractured teeth. Each extraction site is flushed and may be sutured closed.

Gas anesthesia is discontinued and the dog begins to wake up. The endotracheal tube is removed once the dog can swallow on its own. The dog is monitored closely in a warm, quiet recovery area. Most dogs are alert and able to walk within 30 to 60 minutes of anesthesia ending.

You return to the clinic to collect your dog. The vet or vet tech reviews what was done, shows you the X-rays, explains any extractions, provides post-operative care instructions, and dispenses pain medication and antibiotics if needed. You receive a dental chart showing the condition of each tooth.