Dentistry

Annual dental exams and cleanings are recommended to protect your pet from many health problems and help them maintain a healthy and clean mouth. Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body. Dental disease is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, reluctance to eat, swelling, bad breath, redness of the gums, loose teeth and tooth discoloration. 

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Overview

Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.


Dental care for my pet

Dental issues and dental related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment, and prevention. Dental cleanings should be done at least once a year. We offer a wide variety of chews approved by the veterinary oral health council.


Anesthetic Dentals

Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. Once they are under anesthesia, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root. Also similar to human dentistry, we do full mouth radiographs (x-rays) of your pet. This allows our veterinarians to be able to evaluate the roots of your pet's teeth as well as any disease or abnormalities that are located below the gum line and not visible on examination alone.

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Tooth Extractions

We make every effort to save teeth that we feel have a chance to be successfully treated. In many circumstances, however, periodontal disease is so advanced that treatment without extraction is unsuccessful. We only extract teeth that in the doctor's opinion are beyond saving. If this is the case, the doctor will call you during the procedure to go over the x-ray findings and what the treatment plan will be. Pain medications are administered in clinic and provided for in-home aftercare. 

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Dentistry at Animal Medical Center

Our fully equipped dental suite has been designed to provide our patients with the best dental care possible. We know how important it is for your pet’s health to prevent dental disease. Our dental suite offers x-rays, warm water pads, ultrasonic scaler and polisher, and much more, all to keep those “teefs” bright, white and healthy for their life.


Call us today to discuss your pet's dental care needs and schedule your appointment.

Location

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Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Animal Medical Center

Monday:

7:30 am-6:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-6:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-6:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-6:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-6:30 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

  • "We had a great experience at Animal Medical Center. It is easy to schedule appointments and the vet is very thorough. My dog ended up needing surgery and they were able to get her in quickly. They took good care of her, and really seemed to have genuine concern. They did not charge us for a re-check of the incision, and I felt their prices were fair. We moved to this vet because our previous vet was too expensive. All of the staff were helpful and professional."
    SUSIE CUTTER
  • "Great staff and fantastic doctors."
    Lisa Cheng
  • "We visited Animal Medical Center in Mission Viejo in an emergency and they exceeded our expectations. The staff was very understanding and accommodating. We were seen that afternoon quickly and by qualified and friendly technicians and a knowledgeable veterinarian. Dr. Richard was honest, explained our options and helped us navigate an optimal care plan. Our dog, who we feared had a stroke, ended up instead with a severe ear infection that is healing and improving. We fear what costs we might have endured at other facilities that may not have diagnosed her correctly. Thank you for the exceptional care and service."
    LAURA & MEL ROBBINS
  • "Always very thorough to find the source of the problem and offer solutions. They are able to provide appointments quickly when necessary. Their team seems very caring and I’m always comfortable leaving our dogs and cats in their care. We continue to be their patients for many years."
    WILL & PAM JOHNSTON
  • "We relocated from Ohio and needed a vet for our dogs. We really like the staff. The prices are affordable too."
    PAMELA WALTERS MAHON