Dental Services

The centerpiece of good dental care is a complete oral exam followed by a thorough cleaning. Dental cleanings include ultrasonic scaling followed by polishing and a mouth rinse, the combination of which is designed to remove plaque and slow its buildup.

We also offer digital dental X-rays, which are high-definition images that provide a view above and below your pet's gum line and jaw in order to look for evidence of dental disease that cannot be seen by visual examination alone. This is a wonderful tool for enabling the treatment of dental issues before they become much larger and more expensive medical issues.

Should we find any issues, such as evidence of gum or tooth decay, gingivitis, or excessive plaque buildup, we will discuss this with you and provide treatment options. We are experienced dental practitioners and capable of offering a number of dental procedures and oral surgeries. For more complicated or severe cases, we may refer you to a board certified veterinary dental specialist.

We offer:

• Oral examinations under anesthesia
• Diagnosis and treatment of Periodontal disease
• Digital X-rays
• Supra and subgingival scaling
• Tooth extractions
• Polishing
• Irrigation
• Flouride application

We are dedicated to educating you about the importance of dental health.

Digital Dental Radiography

Veterinary dentistry is currently undergoing tremendous modernization. The days of cleaning teeth by removing tartar from above the gum line and pulling out loose teeth are gone. Providing quality dental care to your pet is impossible without dental radiographs. Both our clients and our practice standards require a higher level of care for your pet and dental radiology is a vital part of those standards.

Most dental disease lies underneath the gums and cannot be seen without radiographs. Since treatment decisions are based on x-rays, the better the radiographs, the more accurate the diagnosis. Dental radiography allows for diagnosis of certain diseases, helps plan for the appropriate treatment, and monitors the success of the therapy.

A newer development in dental radiography is the availability of digital radiology systems. Dr. Matthew Cooper takes the oral and dental health of your pet very seriously and believes that dental care is an important piece of your pet's overall health. To better care for your pet's teeth, he has invested in a modern digital dental radiology machine.

There are many advantages to digital dental radiology. The quality of digital radiographs is much better than x-rays produced by a traditional machine. Because digital radiographs are so much better than traditional x-rays, fewer images of the teeth are needed in order to make an accurate diagnosis. As a result, your pet receives less anesthesia and spends less time on the x-ray table when using digital radiology.

Digital radiographs can be taken quickly and do not require the development time that is necessary for regular radiographs. A digital dental x-ray can be developed in just a few seconds, where a regular dental x-ray requires more than a minute. Once they are taken, digital x-rays are immediately displayed on a computer monitor and can be manipulated to get a better view of your pet's teeth. Our sophisticated digital x-ray equipment produces clear, detailed images that allow us to make a rapid and accurate diagnosis.

Home Dental Care

Dental care is not something that can be left to periodic visits with us. Because plaque buildup – the primary cause of poor oral health – is a gradual process occurring throughout the life of your pet, it is important to practice good home dental care. As with humans, this means regular tooth brushing and in some cases additional steps may be necessary. Any member of the our staff can show you the proper method for caring for your pet's teeth as well as help you select the most effective dental products for your pet.

You should also be able to recognize the signs of poor oral health. If you notice any of the following you may want to contact us:

• Persistent bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
• Tartar or plaque buildup (ask your veterinarian how to identify these)
• A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
• Red and swollen gums
• Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
• Pawing at the mouth
• Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
• Loose or missing teeth