Oral Surgery

Veterinary Oral Surgery: Advanced Care for Your Pet’s Oral Health

Many pet owners are surprised to learn that in veterinary medicine, a dentist also serves as an oral surgeon. Veterinary dentists undergo extensive specialized training in both dentistry and oral surgery, making them uniquely qualified to treat a wide range of oral and maxillofacial conditions. Because teeth, gums, and jaw structures are closely connected, having expertise in both fields provides a significant advantage when performing oral surgeries.

At Pet Dental Center, our highly skilled veterinary dental team has successfully treated a wide variety of oral conditions, utilizing state-of-the-art surgical techniques and advanced equipment to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.


What Types of Oral Surgeries Do Veterinary Dentists Perform?

Veterinary dentists handle complex oral and maxillofacial surgeries that go beyond simple extractions. Some of the most common procedures include:

✔️ Jaw Fracture Repair – Whether due to trauma, bone disease, or dental conditions, jaw fractures require careful stabilization and alignment to restore function and reduce pain. We use less invasive surgical techniques and biocompatible materials to promote proper healing.

✔️ Cleft Palate & Palatal Defect Repair – Congenital cleft palates or acquired palatal defects from trauma, tumors, or infections can make eating and breathing difficult. Our expertise in oral tissue reconstruction increases the likelihood of successful defect repair and restored oral function.

✔️ Impacted Teeth & Oral Cysts – Impacted teeth that fail to erupt properly can lead to pain, infections, and cyst formation in the jawbone. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention help prevent further complications.

✔️ Maxillofacial Tumor Excision & Reconstruction – We specialize in removing oral tumors while preserving as much function as possible. Our expertise in dental and bone structure allows for precise excisions and, when necessary, reconstructive surgery to restore oral function and appearance.

✔️ Surgical Management of Severe Periodontal Disease – When advanced periodontal disease leads to bone loss or deep infections, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove diseased tissue, save remaining teeth, or restructure the gums and jaw.

✔️ Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery – TMJ disorders in pets can cause jaw pain, limited movement, and difficulty eating. Specialized surgical techniques can help restore normal jaw function.


Why Choose a Veterinary Dentist for Oral Surgery?

At Pet Dental Center, we combine advanced dental expertise with specialized surgical training, ensuring your pet receives the most precise and effective treatment available.

✔️ Advanced Equipment & Techniques – We use cutting-edge surgical instruments, digital imaging, and Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans to plan and perform surgeries with the highest level of accuracy.
✔️ Minimally Invasive Approach – Whenever possible, we utilize less invasive procedures to reduce trauma, shorten recovery times, and improve healing.
✔️ Comprehensive Care – Because oral health impacts overall well-being, we take a holistic approach to treatment, addressing both immediate surgical needs and long-term oral health.


Is Oral Surgery the Right Choice for Your Pet?

If your pet has been diagnosed with an oral condition requiring surgery, or if you suspect they may have an oral issue causing pain or discomfort, we’re here to help. Our team at Pet Dental Center is committed to providing expert surgical care while ensuring your pet’s comfort, safety, and quality of life.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss the best treatment options for your pet’s needs.

Non-invasive jaw fracture repair in a dog

This pet suffered from a palatal defect.

Large palatal defect in a dog

Repair of palatal defect

Two months following repair of palatal defect

Commonly Asked Questions

Does My Pet Need A Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings should be recommended based on each individual pet’s level of plaque and calculus build up and gingivitis. For some pets, cleanings may be necessary every 6 months, for others it could be every couple of years. More importantly, pets need to have routine oral evaluations with dental probing and full mouth dental radiographs no less than every 2 years and in some pets every 6 months. This includes pets who may have minimal plaque, calculus or gingivitis. It must be understood that clean teeth are not always healthy and therefore could be causing you pet pain or discomfort.

My Dog Has Bad Breath.

Bad breath is the number one symptom of advanced dental disease in pets. In most cases, bad breath in pets originates from disease causing bacteria. When pathogenic bacteria begin to flourish in the mouth, bad breath develops. It is important to have your pet’s oral health fully assessed with thorough oral examination and dental radiographs as soon as bad breath is noticed to prevent severe infections and tooth loss. These bacteria can also negatively affect other parts of the body and contribute to cardiac or renal disease.

My Pet Has Increased Risks For Anesthesia, How Can They Get The Dental Care They Need?

It is not fair to make a pet live with chronic dental pain and infection because they are considered an increased risk for anesthesia. At Pet Dental Center, we specialize in providing high level anesthesia care for geriatric pets and those with increased risks such as heart, kidney, liver, neurologic, diabetes and Cushing’s diseases. Because of our reputation for providing the highest level of anesthesia care possible, we average treating one high risk patient each day. Trust your pet with the ones who perform the most anesthesia procedures in high risk patients, Pet Dental Center.

Is It Normal For My Pet’s Teeth To Fall Out?

Baby or deciduous teeth are supposed to fall out when dogs and cats are teething, between 3 and 7 months of age. Adult or permanent teeth are present for the life of a dog and cat as long as they are healthy. If your pet is losing adult teeth there is severe dental disease. Advanced periodontal disease is the most likely cause for a pet losing teeth although dental fractures and tooth resorption are other likely causes.

What Kind Of Chews Are Good For My Pet’s Teeth?

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease at home and should be performed daily. When your pet does not accept brushing or for supplemental dental care in those pets who are getting their teeth brushed, dental chews can be a good choice. We recommend using dental chews that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. This verifies that the product has been tested in clinical trials and was shown to significantly reduce plaque or calculus. We also recommend slowly introducing dental chews by offering a reduced amount of the chew and observing your pet while chewing. This is to make sure he or she does not swallow a large portion of the chew that could lead to choking or digestive complications. Hard chew objects such as bones, hooves, antlers, thick rawhide products and plastic toys often lead to dental fractures and should always be avoided.