Improvement in dental health care has done more to improve the quality of life
than any other part of veterinary medicine.

Teeth cleaning means different things to different people. At our cat hospital the
teeth-cleaning visit is a lot more than removing tartar from teeth. Our goal is to
restore your cat's mouth to its normal, fresh, healthy state. Having your pet's
teeth professionally cleaned is the single most important medical treatment you
can give that will result in long-term health.

We are serious about keeping your cat's teeth as healthy as possible. There are
ten steps we take to ensure the best for your cat.

What is involved in the teeth cleaning performed at our hospital?

1. A general exam before anesthesia, including evaluation of the bite, pre- anesthetic blood profile, and identification of abnormal wear patterns, gum infection, and oral cancer.
2. An oral exam under anesthesia.
3. Supragingival (above the gum line) plaque and tartar removal.
4. Subgingival (below the gum line) scaling, root planning, and curettage where indicated. Removing tartar from the tooth crowns may improve the appearance of teeth, but dental disease is more destructive below the gum line.
5. Tooth polishing with fluoride.
6. Irrigation of periodontal pockets with chlorhexidine solution.
7. Post cleaning exam.
8. Dental charting for the medical record. Charting records missing, fractured, and discolored teeth, as well as feline oral resorptive lesions, periodontal pocket depths, missing teeth and other lesions.
9. Therapy if necessary. This may include extraction, root planing, gingivectomy and other procedures.
10. Home care instructions on oral hygiene. Your cat's custom-designed oral hygiene program is based on the amount of dental disease and you cat's willingness to be treated.