From Cleaning to Surgery: A Guide to Pet Dental Procedures 

When it comes to your pet’s health, their teeth and gums deserve just as much attention as the rest of their body. Feeding your pet the most expensive dog food will not save their teeth. Pet dental procedures range from routine cleanings to more advanced oral surgeries, and each one plays an important role in maintaining a healthy, pain-free mouth. Dental problems can escalate quickly and lead to issues that impact the heart, kidneys, and other organs, making proactive care all the more important. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the various pet dental procedures offered at Houston Pet Dental in Spring, Texas, so you’ll know what to expect during your pet’s next visit. Whether your pet needs a basic cleaning or something more complex, our team is here to help. Call us at 832-702-7599 to schedule your pet’s dental appointment today.

 

 

Why Pet Dental Procedures Matter

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues affecting dogs and cats. What begins as mild plaque buildup can quickly progress to painful infections, tooth loss, and systemic illness if left untreated. That’s why veterinary dental procedures are so valuable: they give pets relief from discomfort and help prevent bigger problems down the road. There is a reason we have our own teeth professionally cleaned every 6-12 months. Our pets deserve the same level of care.

Most dental issues occur below the gumline, making them invisible without proper tools and training. Regular cleanings and exams allow veterinarians to detect issues early and intervene before more invasive procedures are needed. Every cleaning must include radiographs. Houston Pet Dental offers a full range of pet dental procedures to meet your pet’s unique needs at every stage of life.

Professional Dental Cleanings for Pets

Routine cleanings are the foundation of pet dental care. These procedures are more than just a quick polish. They involve thorough inspection, removal of plaque and tartar, and a detailed assessment of each tooth. At Houston Pet Dental, we want to make routine dental care a reality.

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

Pet dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. This allows our team to clean beneath the gumline, where bacteria cause the most damage. Once we assess your pet’s health history and perform a physical exam and bloodwork to ensure they are healthy enough for anesthesia, the process includes:

• Full oral examination and dental charting
• Scaling and polishing of all teeth
• Dental X-rays to check for problems not visible on the surface, including 68 roots for dog and 42 roots for cats
• Fluoride treatment to protect your pet’s enamel

Tooth Extractions and When They’re Necessary

In some cases, a dental cleaning isn’t enough to resolve a problem. Severely damaged or infected teeth may require extraction to prevent further discomfort and stop the spread of infection. We find that pets eat better and more reliably with fewer painful teeth. Simply put, pets don’t miss bad teeth.

Signs Your Pet Might Need a Tooth Removed

Pets are often good at hiding pain, but signs of dental trouble can include:

• Refusing dry food or chewing on one side
• Bad breath or visible pus near the gums
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Loose or missing teeth

If any of these symptoms appear, your veterinarian may recommend an oral exam and possibly a tooth extraction as part of your pet’s treatment plan.

What Happens During a Pet Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions can only safely be performed under general anesthesia. We will place a local anesthetic to numb the area, then carefully remove the affected tooth, create an advancement flap then suture the gum tissue to promote healing. Pain management is always administered prior to extractions to hasten and enhance our patient’s recovery. Three forms of pain medication will be utilized at Houston Pet Dental to maximize your pet’s comfort. Most pets bounce back quickly and experience noticeable relief once the source of pain is gone.

Advanced Pet Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery

Some pets require more than basic extractions or cleanings. Houston Pet Dental offers advanced pet dental procedures to treat complex conditions like oral tumors, jaw fractures, or severe periodontal disease.

Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal surgery is often necessary when infection has spread deep into the gum and bone. These procedures aim to restore the supportive structures of the teeth and stop the progression of disease. In some cases, bone grafts or guided tissue regeneration may be needed to preserve the jaw’s integrity.

Oral Tumor Removal

Oral tumors, whether benign or malignant, can interfere with eating, speaking, and breathing. Early detection and surgical removal are key. Your veterinarian may recommend a biopsy before proceeding with surgery to determine the type and severity of the growth.

Jaw Fracture Repair

Trauma or advanced dental disease can sometimes lead to jaw fractures, particularly in small-breed dogs and senior cats. Repairing these fractures requires precision, and may involve wiring, splinting, or surgical plating to stabilize the jaw while it heals.

The Role of Dental X-Rays in Diagnosis and Treatment

Dental X-rays (also called radiographs) are a vital part of any thorough pet dental procedure. They provide a view beneath the gumline where nearly 75% of the tooth root structure resides.

Why Dental X-Rays Are So Important

Many dental problems—like root abscesses, bone loss, or retained roots—are not visible during a standard oral exam. Dental X-rays give our veterinarians the full picture and help us:

• Identify hidden infections or cysts
• Confirm whether extractions are needed
• Monitor healing after surgery
• Evaluate the effectiveness of past procedures

At Houston Pet Dental, we use high-resolution dental imaging to guide every treatment decision. This technology allows us to treat your pet with precision and prevent unnecessary procedures.

Anesthesia Safety During Pet Dental Procedures

Pet owners often worry about anesthesia, especially when their pet is older or has other health conditions. Common concerns we hear are that pets are too small, too young, too old, they have a murmur, they are allergic to vaccinations, etc. If we use these excuses to avoid proper oral health care, we simply allow our pets to suffer.  Pets don’t get younger, and teeth don’t magically get better with age. This is even more reason to start prevention now before it advances. At Houston Pet Dental, we follow strict protocols to minimize risk and keep pets safe.

Pre-Anesthetic Evaluation

Before any pet dental procedure, we perform a full physical exam and run lab tests to evaluate your pet’s health. This includes checking liver and kidney function, as well as red and white blood cell counts.

Monitoring During and After the Procedure

During the procedure, our veterinary team monitors your pet’s vital signs closely, including heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Afterward, we continue to monitor your pet as they recover from anesthesia, ensuring they’re comfortable and stable before going home.

What to Expect After Your Pet’s Dental Procedure

Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed. After a routine cleaning, your pet may be back to normal the same day. For extractions or oral surgery, it could take 1-2 days to a week for full recovery. Remember, it’s not a race and older patients may need longer to process the anesthesia.

Post-Procedure Care Tips

Here are a few things you might notice after your pet’s dental procedure:

• Mild grogginess or disorientation
• Clinginess or anxiety
• Transient soft stools from IV fluid administration and additional water in food
• A soft food diet for a few days
• Temporary drooling or pawing at the mouth

Your veterinarian will provide detailed aftercare instructions and may prescribe medication for pain management. Follow-up visits may also be scheduled to assess healing and monitor progress.

How Houston Pet Dental Supports Long-Term Oral Health

At Houston Pet Dental, we believe prevention is just as important as treatment. That’s why we offer pet dental procedures tailored to every life stage: from puppies and kittens to seniors. Regular dental visits, professional cleanings, and digital imaging all contribute to better oral health and overall well-being. We also work with pet owners to create customized home care plans that support your pet’s dental health between visits. These may include tooth brushing guidance, dental chews, and tips for selecting the right food. If your pet is due for a dental checkup, or if you’ve noticed signs of dental discomfort, give us a call at 832-702-7599. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you schedule an appointment.