Transcript The Dental AH&T - Animal Medical Center

The Dental AH&T
 A is for Assessment
– A thorough exam, with
probing and charting
– Dental X-Rays to see under
the gum line
 H is for Hygiene
– Cleaning & Polishing
– Fluoride & Oravet Sealant
 T is for Treatment
– Extractions, Surgery, etc.
Dental Health. . .
 Healthier Pet
– Pets with good dental health may live an average of
TWO YEARS longer than pets without good dental
health
– Bacteria from a diseased mouth can travel throughout
the body and infect vital organs including heart, kidneys,
and liver.
 Happier Pet
– Freedom from pain!!!!!
– “Younger”, happier behavior.
AMC’s Dental Standards
 Comprehensive assessment including
Intra-Oral X-rays to view disease under
the gum line and measure bone loss.
 Modern, safe anesthesia and pain
protocols
 Skilled monitoring
 IV Catheterization for rapid access to a
vein in case of emergency
 IV Fluid Therapy to protect organs
 Active Patient Warming
 High Speed Drill for safe and less
traumatic extractions and surgery
 And more. . .
IV Catheter & Fluids
 The IV Catheter allows for us to
administer fluids and
medications into the vein
instantly. Immediate vein
access is especially important
in case of an emergency need
to administer medications.
 Administering IV fluids keeps
the patient hydrated and helps
maintain normal blood
pressure. This protects the
patients vital organs during the
stress of anesthesia.
Airway Protection
 An endotracheal tube is
placed in the patient’s
airway.
 Inhalant (gas) anesthesia
and oxygen are
administered through the
tube.
 The tube is designed to
protect the patient’s airway
from water and debris.
 The patient’s level of
anesthesia and oxygen
saturation are monitored
by a skilled assistant.
Bacteria & Safety
 Before scaling (cleaning),
the teeth, the nurse rinses
the teeth and mouth with a
safe antimicrobial rinse.
 This greatly reduces the
amount of bacteria that
become “aerosolized”
during the AH&T
procedure, protecting both
the patient and our staff.
 Staff members wear
protective items to protect
themselves and the patient
from bacteria.
Scaling
 We scale the teeth using a
modern pizeoelectric
scaler
 We clean every tooth
surface, including below
the gum line
 A skilled nurse uses
appropriate tools to clean
the teeth well without
causing damage.
 Hand scaling completes
the job.
Polishing
 All tooth surfaces are polished
using fine grit dental polish with
a professional dental polisher.
 Careful polishing creates a
smooth tooth surface that is
resistant to plaque and tartar
and less prone to rapid tartar
accumulation
 Pink disclosing solution
identifies any areas that still
have tartar. Those areas are recleaned and polished.
Probing & Charting
 Every tooth is carefully
examined. The nurse
performs a preliminary
chart and the veterinarian
completes the exam.
 Probing around each tooth
identifies recessed gums,
attachment loss and loose
teeth
 Careful recording of all
abnormalities allows for
good follow up later.
Dental X-Rays
 Our modern AFP intra-oral
x-ray machine allows us to
know what is happening
under your pet’s gums.
 X-rays identify bone loss
and other hidden disease.
 X-rays allow us to
accurately stage your pet’s
periodontal disease using
degree of bone loss
 X-rays make extractions
much safer.
Patient Warming
 Body temperature is one of
several important parameters
we monitor during anesthesia.
 Modern patient warming devices
help the patient maintain their
body heat, keeping them
comfortable and supporting their
rapid recovery from anesthesia.
 During the procedure, a
circulating warm water pad is
placed under the patient and
fleece blankets above.
 During recovery, the patient is
sandwiched between fleece
blankets with a warm air
blanket.
Fluoride Application
 Fluoride hardens the
tooth enamel
 Reduces tooth
sensitivity and lessen
oral pain
 Helps protect against
decay
 Is also applied to
healthy young teeth at
spay or neuter surgery
OraVet Sealant
 Seals out bacteria and
reduces plaque and tartar
accumulation.
 Professional sealing is
followed up with weekly at
home treatments to renew
the seal
 Daily tooth brushing at
home is recommended.
Tooth brushing does NOT
remove the sealant.
Extractions & Other Surgery
 Modern surgical techniques and excellent equipment allow the
veterinarian to safely remove diseased teeth and perform other needed
oral surgeries.
 Pain control methods include local blocks and take-home pain
medications as needed.
 Moderately diseased teeth can sometimes be treated with root planing,
placement of long-acting antibiotics and other treatments.
 Severely diseased teeth must be removed. Removing diseased tissues
allows the remaining healthy tissues to heal, free of a constant source
of decay and bacteria.
 Our high speed drill allows safe and rapid sectioning of teeth for a
safer, less painful and less traumatic procedure.
 Use of x-rays allows the doctor to plan the safest and most effective
extraction procedure and to ensure complete removal of the root tip(s).
 Antibiotics may be prescribed for severe cases.
Home Care
 Daily tooth brushing is the
gold standard of home
care.
 A dental diet, such as Hill’s
t/d can help control plaque
and tartar.
 Weekly application of
OraVet Gel, following a
professional sealing, is
helpful in preventing
plaque and tartar build-up.
 Our nurses will teach you
everything you need to
know!
Annie, Before & After
 Annie, a 14 year old toy
poodle.
 Prone to rapid tartar
accumulation and
periodontal disease, as is
typical of small breeds
 History of regular dental
care and professional
AH&Ts. One year since
last AH&T.
 Regular AH&Ts help
maintain oral health and
prevent more severe
disease and/or pain.
Jeremy, Before & After
 4 year old Sheltie
 Unlucky genetics lead to
rapid tartar build up.
 Just 8 months since his
last AH&T, he has dramatic
tartar build up and gum
inflammation.
 A beautiful smile postAH&T needs to be
protected with regular
brushing at home is
needed to prevent rapid
disease progression.
Kory, Before & After




8 year old Springer Spaniel
First Dental AH&T
Severe Periodontal Disease.
Hyperplasia (severe gum
inflammation produces
excess gum tissue, trapping
debris and bacteria.)
 Gingivectomy (gum surgery)
performed.
 Teeth cleaned up nicely.
Chip, Before & After
 2 year old Bernese
Mountain Dog (giant
breed)
 First AH&T. Early
periodontal disease.
 Timely dental care should
help Chip maintain a
healthy mouth for life.
 The two children in the
family need to team up to
brush his teeth. One holds
the cheeks out, while the
other reaches in to brush!
Bocha, Before & After
 15 year old small breed
(Terrier mix)
 Severe Periodontal
Disease
 Numerous extractions
 Fewer, but clean and
healthy, teeth remain
 Removal of diseased teeth
is always preferable to
leaving them in. Rotten
and infected teeth are the
source of significant
Honey, Before & After
 7 year old cocker
spaniel
 Severe Periodontal
Disease
 Note severe black
tartar on lower canine
 Two extractions
Prevention. . .
 Dental Disease is one of the most painful
preventable health conditions in pets.
 Dental Disease can cause disease throughout the
body, leading to organ damage or even premature
death.
 Dental Disease can be prevented.
 Even severe and established disease can be
controlled. Progression can be prevented. Pain
can be eliminated.
 It is never too early or too late to help your pet
have a healthy mouth.