Affordable Dental Care is part of our Legacy Veterinary Group which has been providing top-quality pet care for over 20 years. Our experienced veterinarians and staff have helped thousands of pets live happy and healthy lives. We offer a wide range of dental services, including dental cleaning, extractions, and surgery. Our facility is equipped with the latest technology to provide the best possible care for your pet. Our team of skilled veterinarians and staff are passionate about animal care and are committed to providing personalized and compassionate care for your pet.
Our veterinarians treat a wide variety of complex dental cases that are commonly referred for advanced care:
- Complex Dental Extractions
- Fractured Teeth
- Luxated Teeth
- Jaw and Facial Fractures
- Oral and Facial Soft Tissue Injuries
- Oral and Facial Tumor Surgeries
- Oro-nasal Fistulae Repairs
- Periodontal Surgeries
- Chronic Feline Gingivostomatitis Treatment
- Intra-Oral Dental Radiology
- Oral Pain Management
- Dental Care with Advanced Anesthesia and Monitoring for Elderly or Compromised Pets
Advanced Care and Dedicated Staff
Our team of dedicated veterinary dental professionals strive to provide the highest level of dental care for your pets. We use the most advanced techniques, equipment, and protocols for the safest handling and treatment of your pet.
We know that having your pet undergo anesthesia can be scary! We’re here to help keep them as safe and comfortable as possible. All anesthetic procedures are performed under full parameter monitoring with the safest anesthetic protocol. A team of veterinary professionals will be by your pets’ side the entire time – from the preoperative screening process to the postoperative recovery.
Our team will keep you informed every step of the way. From your initial consultation to procedures and aftercare, our team will let you know how to prepare, what to expect, and answer any questions you may have about the process.
The Why
Why does your dog or cat need regular dental care?
The importance of caring for their teeth goes far beyond stinky breath. Untreated dental problems can result in serious complications like infection, abscess, tooth loss, and even bone decay. Another important factor in dental cleanings, periodontal disease can also result in significant pain that makes pets reluctant or completely unwilling to eat.
Inflammation and damage to tissues like the gums can also allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream and potentially become deposited on vital organs such as the HEART or KIDNEYS. In the long run, treating these complications can end up costing a lot more than you might think you’d save by skipping regular dental cleanings.
What is COHAT?
COHAT stands for Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and other treatment. In other words, COHAT means an assessment of the whole mouth with an oral exam and dental X-ray as it relates to the patient’s overall health and habits and a treatment plan created for any problems found.
Why is Anesthesia Required for COHAT?
Veterinary patients will not allow a COHAT to be performed without general anesthesia. Dogs and cats will simply not allow all of the vital components of a COHAT to be performed without it. Trying to perform a COHAT on awake veterinary patients will only cause them undue stress and anxiety and any painful oral disease will go undiagnosed and untreated.
Pain Free, Healthy Mouths!
Our goal is to provide our patients with a pain-free and healthy mouth. Dental disease is the most common and frequently diagnosed medical condition in our pets. Left untreated, it will always progress and make the oral cavity a constant battleground. As you can now see, a COHAT is never just a pet dental cleaning. It truly is a comprehensive evaluation and treatment of our beloved pet’s overall dental health and will only improve their quality and length of life.
Every true COHAT will include:
A Review of Pre-Anesthesia Blood Work
Each patient will need to have blood work performed to ensure your pet can safely process and eliminate anesthetics. This will also verify there are no hidden illnesses present.
Medical Assessment
An assessment of the pet’s medical records with attention to medical history, physical exams, and dietary and chewing habits.
Oral Exam
We perform a five-component oral exam on every patient, which helps us identify any potential problems. We then provide a plan, treatment, and prevention. EXTERNAL EXAM, ORAL SOFT TISSUE, OCCLUSION, PERIODONTAL, AND ENDODONTIC.
Probing and Charting
Probing and Charting is essential to identify if there is any gingivitis and periodontal disease present. Probing involves inserting the periodontal probe into the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket and recording the depth in millimeters.
Radiographs
Full mouth Pre and Post operative (sometimes intra operative) dental x-ray. Radiographs are extremely important in every dental procedure. The portion of the tooth we can visibly see above the gingiva consists of approximately only ⅓ of the tooth. Each patient will receive a full mouth series, which will allow us to evaluate each tooth’s health and help us provide optimal treatment plans.
Treatment Planning
A treatment plan created for any problems found that is discussed with the pet owner. Treatment planning is the process of gathering all information pertinent to a case, analyzing it carefully and then devising a plan of action.
Recheck Exam
Recheck exam and/or a plan for a future COHAT. We recommend dogs and cats to have an oral examination at least once a year. In some cases, more frequent examinations and care may be recommended.
Discharge Instructions
Discharge typically takes 10-20 minutes depending how extensive the procedure was and the questions you may have. Everything you need to know to care for your pet following his or her procedure will be explained to you in depth including but not limited to prescription and feeding instructions.
Periodontal Disease
What is Periodontal Disease in Dogs?
Periodontitis bacteria can infect your dog’s oral cavity. Usually, this disease silently invades the mouth and you won’t see any pervasive signs or symptoms until it advances. However, gum disease may cause chronic pain, gum erosion and loss of bone and teeth. The structures supporting the teeth can also be weakened or lost.
When bacteria and food particles collect along the gum line and are not brushed away during a regular tooth brushing, they can develop into plaque and harden into calculus we know as tartar. This causes irritation and inflammation of the gum line and surrounding areas (the condition is also referred to as gingivitis). This represents the first stages of gum disease.
What are symptoms of periodontal disease?
There are some hallmark symptoms of canine periodontitis pet parents should watch for, including:
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Discolored teeth (brown or yellow)
- Loose or missing teeth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Bloody or “ropey” saliva
- Drop in appetite
- Favoring one side of the mouth when chewing
- Excessive drooling
- Blood in water bowl or on chew toys
By the time signs of advanced periodontitis appear, your dog could be in significant chronic pain, during which our pets tend to instinctively self-isolate to keep from showing weakness to predators. Unfortunately, the affects of periodontal disease don’t stay confined to your dog’s mouth – the condition can cause issues with major organs and lead to heart disease, since bacteria from the mouth can enter the blood stream and settle in around the heart.
- What causes periodontal disease?
- How is periodontal disease in dogs treated?
- How can I prevent my dog from getting periodontal disease?
Bacteria in your pooch’s mouth can accumulate and eventually develop into plaque, which meets other minerals and hardens within two to three days. Calculus then forms on the teeth and gets more difficult to scrape away.
The immune system will begin to fight this buildup of bacteria, causing reactions such as inflamed gums and more obvious signs of gum disease.
Diet and poor nutrition can factor into whether your dog will develop periodontal disease, as do environmental contributors such as grooming habits (does your pooch lick himself frequently?), dirty toys, the alignment of teeth (pups with crowded teeth are more susceptible to gum disease), and oral hygiene.
Costs of dental procedures such as teeth cleanings may vary widely depending on the level of care provided by your veterinarian, your pet’s needs, and other factors. Your pet will need to have blood work before being put under anesthesia to ensure she’s healthy enough for the medication, which can cause problems for dogs with organ diseases.
Any dental procedure should include:
- A complete set of dental radiographs
- IV catheter and IV fluids
- Pre-anesthesia blood work
- Circulating warm air to ensure patient stays warm while under anesthesia
- Endotracheal intubation, inhaled anesthetic and oxygen
- Anesthesia monitoring
- Scaling, polishing and lavage of gingival areas
- Local anesthesia such as novocaine, if any extractions are needed
- Pain medication during and after the procedure
Fortunately, we pet parents can prevent our pooches from getting periodontal disease, and the condition can be treated and reversed – if detected early.
When it comes to your dog’s oral health, don’t neglect it or procrastinate. Similar to their people, they require regular dental appointments to keep up with oral hygiene and identify any trouble spots. Your pup should go to the vet’s at least once each year to have her oral health evaluated.
You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions you may have regarding at-home care, and find out how often your pet should come in for professional teeth cleanings (as those with issues may need to come more frequently).
Prevent issues from developing into unmanageable situations between appointments by doing a daily brushing of your dog’s teeth to prevent bacteria and plaque from getting a foothold (choose a toothpaste made specially for dogs).
There are also dental chews, dog food and chew toys designed to address dental disease and reduce tartar development. But fair warning: don’t try to replace brushing with these – think of them as an add-on to regular oral care). If you notice inflamed or swollen gums, missing teeth or even appetite changes, book an appointment immediately.
Note: The advice provided on this page is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Anesthesia – Is it Safe?
Affordable Dental Surgery Locations
Serving the Raleigh – Sandhills Area
Serving North – Central Carolina
Serving Albemarle, NC, and surrounding areas
Serving Troy, NC, and surrounding areas
Providing exceptional medical and surgical care for patients
Providing the highest level of veterinary care
367 East Plaza Drive Mooresville, NC 28115 – Phone: 704-662-8586
Payment Options
In order to maintain our high standard of service, we require that payment is made at the time services are rendered. We provide estimates for all surgeries and hospitalizations. If you have not received an estimate, you are welcome to request one at any time for your expected charges.
We are happy to accept:
- Debit
- Cash
- All Major Credit Cards
- CareCredit (see description below)
- ScratchPay (see description below)
Scratch Pay
Now offering Take 5!
Take 5 lets you break up your bill into 5 easy payments. Your first payment will be today, and the other 4 payments will be due every 2 weeks after that.
No interest. No hard credit check. No worries, period.
CareCredit
The CareCredit credit card can be used for routine veterinary appointments, grooming services, emergency pet care, or a variety of surgeries and treatments your pet may need. It gives pet owners the peace of mind needed to care for pets big and small.
Unlike traditional pet financing or veterinary payment plans, the CareCredit credit card gives you the flexibility to use your card again and again for your pet’s procedures.
Pawlicy Advisor
Pet insurance is a great option to make caring for your pet affordable, and ensure that they receive the care they need, when they need it. With most pet insurance plans, you pay the veterinarian up front and are reimbursed by your insurance provider after filing a claim.
To compare pet insurance provider options, visit Pawlicy Advisor.
FAQs
Please reach out to us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
My pet has bad breath, what should I do?
Regardless of the precise cause, bacteria and food debris build up over time in your pooch’s mouth if not regularly cleaned away, creating plaque and a persistent smell. If your dog’s breath smells a little bit, it is likely caused by emerging oral health issues.
Bad breath is an indication of an infection of the gums or bone. We will perform periodontal probing and dental x-rays to determine the best treatment plan:
- For pets with inflamed gums and no bone loss, we recommend professional cleaning and polishing followed by a preventative home oral hygiene plan.
- If there are periodontal pockets around the teeth, we can treat your pet with root planing or tissue regenerative therapy. For more severe disease, extractions are performed with optimal pain control and tissue closure to encourage rapid healing and return to eating.
Does my dog or cat need a deep dental cleaning?
Believe it or not, taking care of your dog’s teeth is as important as taking care of your own. Good dental care is more than just brushing their pearly whites. Sometimes, a veterinary dental procedure like a deep teeth cleaning for your dog or cat is essential to prevent serious dental issues.
Is my pet too old for anesthesia?
Age is not a disease and therefore not a risk factor for safe anesthesia. We ensure that each pet has an individualized anesthetic protocol based on his/her health status and specific procedure that is being performed. Our goal is for most patients to be fully recovered from anesthesia in 1-2 hours and ready to go home alert and comfortable.
Why can’t dogs or cats receive anesthetic-free teeth cleanings?
Without performing anesthesia on your pet, teeth, and tissues under the gums cannot be fully evaluated and x-rays cannot be taken. This may result in underdiagnosis.
We encourage pet-owners to visit the American Veterinary Dental College to learn the facts and answers to the common questions about anesthesia-free dental cleaning.
What is stomatitis?
Stomatitis in cats, also known as feline stomatitis or feline chronic gingivostomatitis, refers to inflammation in a cat’s mouth. This disease is common, painful and affects cats of all breeds and ages. While it can be fatal, the right treatment can help your cat live comfortably with this condition.
Is my cat or dog on the right dental food?
Diet can play an important role in minimizing plaque and calculus formation, and aid in the removal of plaque that has already formed. The type of diet fed, along with the frequency of tooth brushing and access to chew toys, dental chews, and hard chews, will factor into either the persistence or removal of plaque.
What is deciduous canine tooth removal?
If the deciduous tooth is present whilst the permanent tooth has erupted, we then describe it as persistent or retained. These persistent deciduous teeth can lead to a couple of issues.
- A malocclusion – teeth being in the wrong position. This can lead to trauma in the mouth which is painful.
- Periodontal disease – due to the permanent and persistent deciduous tooth being too close together.
What are the symptoms for dental disease in my pet?
If your pet is over the age of three and has never had a professional dental cleaning, there is a good chance your pet has the beginnings of gingivitis. During the early stages of gingivitis and periodontal disease, there are no symptoms, and your pet will continue to act normally. Symptoms only appear after the diseases are well advanced.
Signs of advanced dental disease and mouth pain include dropping food, losing weight, blood, or puss in the drool, and whining or crying while eating. If your pet displays any of these symptoms, you should immediately schedule an appointment at one of our locations for a dental examination.
Why are dental radiographs always needed?
Dental x-rays help us evaluate the entire tooth structure and surrounding bone.
Since oral disease does not stop at the gumline, intraoral radiographs of the root structure and surrounding bone are imperative to diagnose disease and develop a treatment plan for oral disease in pets. Without the use of dental radiographs, we are prevented from seeing two-thirds of the tooth structure.
There are many indications for dental radiographs including the following: red or swollen gums, bleeding gums, broken teeth, missing teeth, resorptive lesions, loose teeth, abnormal periodontal pocket depth around teeth, worn teeth, and discolored teeth.