Call or text us to schedule your pets’ appointment at 913.742.8686

Frequently asked questions

What is a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist™?
  • A veterinary dentist is a veterinarian who has completed veterinary school (a four-year program after college), a one-year internship or 3+ years in clinical practice, and three-year formal dental residency.
  • A veterinary dentist must demonstrate specialist knowledge and expertise by completing the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC®) requirements during the residency program and by passing the rigorous two-phase exam.
  • At Companion Animal Dentistry, we are fortunate to have 4 board certified veterinary dentists!
    • There are only five dentists in the state of Kansas and one dentist in the state of Missouri.
    • There are only 251 active diplomates in the entire world!
What makes you different?
  • As Board Certified Veterinary DentistsTM we have extensive training in not only dentistry but also advanced training in oral surgery, radiology, and anesthesia.
  • All we do is dentistry and oral surgery, so we are very efficient with our time when your pet is under anesthesia – leading to shorter procedure times and safer/quicker recoveries.
  • We have a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) machine that will scan the entire skull in 30 seconds, producing a 3-dimensional image high resolution image. This provides more information in a much shorter amount of time when compared to traditional dental x-rays.
    • CBCT scans enable us to evaluate the entire head, including the teeth, jaws, nasal passages, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), etc. in 0.2 mm slices and in three different planes of view.
    • CBCT is more accurate than intraoral radiographs in identifying oral pathology. Multiple studies have shown the diagnostic yield is significantly higher than that of 2-dimensional x-rays.  The superior quality facilitates a more accurate and comprehensive view of the animal’s anatomy, aiding in precise diagnosis and effective, safe treatment planning.
    • We are trained to read subtle findings to accurately diagnose and provide a thorough treatment plan for your pet.
  • We enjoy challenging cases! Our areas of specialty include:
    • Oral surgery: oral cancer removal via mandibulectomies/maxillectomies, surgical extractions
    • Trauma: jaw fractures, TMJ luxations
    • Oral medicine: stomatitis (canine & feline), immune-mediated diseases, MMM, oral masses
    • Pediatrics: malocclusions, cleft palates, juvenile periodontitis
    • Endodontics: root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy
    • Prosthodontics: crowns (caps)
    • Restorative dentistry: enamel defects, caries (cavities)
    • Advanced periodontal surgery: bone grafts, oronasal fistula repair
What is involved in a dental procedure?
  • Dental procedures performed on pets require general anesthesia. The steps are very similar to those performed on humans undergoing anesthesia/surgery.
  • We start with a thorough examination and bloodwork to ensure your pet is safe to undergo anesthesia.
  • Most pets will receive an anti-nausea injection called Cerenia. This lasts 24 hours to help improve pre- and post-operative care.
  • An intravenous (IV) catheter is placed.
  • A premedication injection is administered to provide sedation and pain control.
  • An induction agent (injectable medication) is given IV, and a breathing tube is placed to protect the airway and to provide oxygen.
  • An inhalant gas mixed with oxygen will be provided throughout the procedure.
  • Vital parameters will be monitored continuously during the procedure.
  • Imaging is performed.
    • A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan will be performed to scan the entire skull in 30 seconds producing a 3-dimensional image.
    • This is often followed by intraoral radiographs during/after treatment.
  • The oral cavity will be evaluated including the hard palate, soft palate, tongue, tonsils, lymph nodes, salivary glands, maxillofacial structure, etc.
  • Then each individual tooth will be evaluated using a periodontal probe (the same ones used by human dentists).
  • The teeth will be professionally scaled and polished (using similar instruments to a human dentist).
  • Prior to any painful procedures, local nerve blocks will be administered.
  • All tooth extraction sites will be closed with absorbable sutures to prevent a dry socket from developing.
  • After the procedure is over, your pet will be closely monitored during the recovery period.
How long will my pet be there?
  • You can expect your pet to be with us most of the day so we can prepare for their procedure preoperatively and closely monitor their recovery postoperatively.
  • Pick up time is usually between 3-5 pm; we will call when your pet is in recovery to set up a specific dismissal time. We plan for dismissal times approximately one hour or more after procedure completion to monitor your pet.
Will my pet be in pain?
  • Dentistry should not be painful! Please call us if you think your pet is in pain.
  • We will prevent pain by administering local nerve blocks before performing any surgical stimulation.
  • Many pets will receive an injection to prevent pain such as an opiate and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
  • Pain medication will be sent home as well.
Does my pet need antibiotics?
  • Most pets will not need antibiotics. Once the diseased teeth are removed, any local infection will typically resolve.
  • Antibiotics may be prescribed for more invasive oral surgeries and/or for deeper/bony infections.
How will my pet eat after extractions? What will my pet eat if they have multiple or all teeth extracted?
  • After extractions, we recommend feeding a softened diet for 2 weeks. This can be canned food or soaked dry food.
  • After 2 weeks, your pet can return to their normal diet and toys unless otherwise directed.
  • Many patients with very few teeth or no teeth still prefer dry kibble!
What can I expect after a procedure?
  • Many pets will not have a bowel movement for 3-4 days. This is completely normal as long as you do not notice any straining to defecate (without producing a bowel movement).
  • Many pets will feel a little abnormal for about 24 hours after anesthesia; this can result in whining/crying, etc.
  • A mild, dry cough can result from the breathing tube placed during anesthesia. This cough should lessen each day, but please call with any questions or concerns.
  • A small amount of oral and/or nasal bleeding is normal.
  • A small amount of swelling is normal.
Will my pet’s teeth shift after extractions?
  • Dog and cat teeth do not shift as they do in humans, so we do not need to worry about placing implants or bridges after extractions.
How many teeth does my pet have?
  • Adult dogs have 42 teeth.
  • Adult cats have 30 teeth.