Teeth Cleaning

periodontal disease

Protect Your Pet From Gum Disease

Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats Causes: Bad Breath Gum Disease   Systemic Bacterial Infection Pain

From the American Veterinary Dental College(AVDC):
Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult dogs and cats, and is entirely preventable. 

Periodontal disease may cause multiple problems in the oral cavity and may be associated with damage to internal organs (especially the heart and kidneys) in some patients as they age.

Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in the mouth form a substance called plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth. Subsequently, minerals in the saliva harden the plaque into dental calculus (tartar), which is firmly attached to the teeth. Tartar above the gum line is obvious to many owners, but is not of itself the cause of disease. 

The real problem develops as plaque and calculus spread under the gum line
. Bacteria in this ‘sub-gingival’ plaque set in motion a cycle of damage to the supporting tissues around the tooth, eventually leading to loss of the tooth. Bacteria under the gum line secrete toxins, which contribute to the tissue damage if untreated. These bacteria also stimulate the animal’s immune system. The initial changes cause white blood cells and inflammatory chemical signals to move into the periodontal space (between the gum or bone and the tooth). The function of the white blood cells is to destroy the bacterial invaders, but chemicals released by the overwhelmed white blood cells cause damage to the supporting tissues of the tooth. Instead of helping the problem, the patient’s own protective system actually worsens the disease when there is severe build-up of plaque and tartar.

Periodontal disease includes gingivitis (inflammation [reddening] of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth). There is a wide range in the appearance and severity of periodontal disease, which often cannot be properly evaluated or treated without general anesthesia for veterinary patients. Effects within the oral cavity include damage to or loss of gum tissue and bone around the teeth, development of a hole (‘fistula’) from the oral cavity into the nasal passages causing nasal discharge and sneezing, fractures of the jaw following weakening of the jaw bone, and bone infection (‘osteomyelititis’). Dental X-Rays can show most of these conditions if they are present. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body. Studies in dogs have shown that periodontal disease is associated with microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys over time.

Treatment of periodontal disease is multi-faceted. If your pet has tartar or large amounts of plaque present, professional dental cleaning is required, which includes a thorough oral examination, scaling and polishing. Dental radiographs are required to correctly diagnose and assist in treatment of patients with extensive disease.

When periodontitis is present, several treatment options may be employed to save the teeth. The patient’s overall health, the cost of specific treatments, and the owner’s willingness to provide home oral hygiene must be taken into account prior to performing periodontal therapy - without likelihood of diligent homecare subsequently, periodontal therapy is not indicated, and severely involved teeth should be extracted.

before and after cleaning

Teeth Cleaning and Polishing at Animal Hospital of Montgomery

Fees listed are for routine cleanings under 30 minutes in duration.  (as of 10/2021 subject to change)

Dog under 25 lbs.                           $207.00

Dog 26-50 lbs.                                  $218.00

Dog 51-75 lbs                                    $232.00

Dog over 76 lbs.                               $240.00

Cats                                                         $200.00

Routine teeth cleaning includes:

  • up to 30 minutes of gas anesthesia
  • anesthetic monitoring
  • ultrasonic teeth cleaning (scaling)
  • tooth polishing
  • dental exam
  • fluoride treatment
  • antibiotic injection

Severely affected patients may require more extensive treatments and more anesthetic resulting in higher dental fees.


Dental X-rays, Dental surgery or Extractions additional. 

EXTRACTION - Approximate Costs 

Deciduous (baby) Teeth Extractions-Canines (1 tooth)$14
Loose tooth extraction – Dental extraction I (1 tooth)$7 - $12
Single Root Extraction - Dental Extraction II ( 1 tooth)$12 - $20
Premolar/Molar Extraction - Surgical Extraction (1 tooth)$20 - $88
Multiple loose teeth extractions (5 or more)$60 - $90

Oral surgery fees to extract teeth requiring more complicated techniques are determined by the difficulty.

DENTAL X-RAYS 
Dental X-rays allow us to look beyond the obvious & better exam teeth and the supporting structures below the gumline. Viewing “inside” many times reveals hidden and often undiagnosed conditions. For that reason dental radiology is recommended for Grade 3 & 4 dentals and Resorptive Lesions                                                                               

$65… Cats  

$75…Dogs under 25 #

$85...Dogs Over 25#

carnassial abscess

This  X-Ray shows the loss of bone around the root of the upper 4th premolar.  

This is called a carnassial abscess

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7:30 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

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Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

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7:30 am-5:00 pm

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7:30 am-12:00 pm

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