Every patient receives a thorough pre-anesthetic exam to evaluate anesthesia risk assessment and dental disease. Pre-anesthetic blood testing helps identify hidden medical problems that may indicate a change in the anesthesia protocol, or possibly postponing the procedure. IV catheters are placed after application of a topical numbing cream so that multiple injectable medications can be used without multiple skin penetrations. IV fluids are administered to help maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs during anesthesia. The fluid line can be warmed to help provide heat support to patients if needed. All patients are intubated to protect and support the airways and insure adequate ventilation under anesthesia.

Each patient has a technician dedicated to full time anesthesia monitoring and support using both manual and instrumentational monitors of all vital signs, including oxygenation, ventilation, blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. Everything is recorded in a detailed anesthesia log. Heat support, if needed, can include warm towels, forced warm air blankets, and a heated fluid line. All dental instruments are sterilized by autoclave between every patient. Each patient also has a technician dedicated to performing cleaning, polishing, charting, and radiographs, similar to a human dental technician.

Then Pet Dental Cleaning Process:

1

Antiseptic Rinse

The mouth is rinsed with an antiseptic before the bacteria-laden calculus is mobilized.
2

Remove Calculus

Calculus is removed using a combination of hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling.
3

Periodontal Probing

Periodontal probing helps identify and grade the severity of periodontal disease.
4

Radiographs

Radiographs of the mouth help see what is going on under the gum lines. The parts of the teeth above the gum line are only the tip of the iceberg.
5

Examination

Examinations of the mouth under anesthesia, and any extractions or surgical procedures are performed only by the veterinarian who is in charge of the case.
6

Additional Needs

Everything is recorded in a detailed dental chart. In some cases, careful cleaning of the surfaces of the teeth under the gum line is indicated. When this is needed, the pocket under the gum line is packed with an extended release antibiotic (Doxirobe) to help heal the mouth. In more severe cases, a gingival flap is needed.
7

Clean & Polish

The teeth are then cleaned and polished.
8

Sanos Sealant

After the teeth are cleaned and polished, a sealant (Sanos) is applied to the teeth. This helps reduce the ability of plaque to stick to the enamel of the teeth and slows the return of disease.