Q: A local groomer offers non-anesthetic dentals. Why would I put my pet under anesthesia when this can be done without sedation?

A: When a veterinarian anesthetizes a pet for a dental procedure, so much more is done than cleaning the teeth. Dentals are more appropriately named COHATs (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) to further illustrate the importance of these examinations and treatments. The teeth are cleaned (scaled), but are also evaluated for pockets, looseness, gingival recession, masses, and more. To gauge the health of the teeth accurately, full mouth dental X-rays (radiographs) should be taken since issues like tooth root resorption or bone cancers may not be obvious through a visual examination.

For safety and to avoid pain and stress, anesthesia is needed for these procedures:

• A full cleaning under the gumline
• X-rays (radiographs) require sensitive equipment to be placed in your pet’s mouth to find any issues not visible during examination.
• Polishing teeth to remove the small scratches of the enamel (outer layer) caused by cleaning
• Reducing stress and pain by addressing any problems found during X-rays (radiographs) and examination while your pet is already anesthetized.

There are risks associated with anesthesia; however, these can be managed through pre-anesthetic examination, lab work, and monitoring during the procedure. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian and ask questions about how your pet will be monitored to ease your mind.