What to Expect During a Pet Dental Procedure

If your vet has recommended a dental procedure for your cat or dog, you might wonder what exactly happens and if your pet will be safe and comfortable.

The good news? Modern veterinary dentistry is gentle, thorough, and tailored to keep your pet calm and pain-free. At Creature Comforts, we use fear-free techniques and advanced monitoring equipment to ensure a smooth and safe experience from start to finish.

Here’s what you can expect when your pet comes for dental care.

Dental disease is more than just bad breath. Left untreated, it can lead to painful infections, tooth loss, and even affect your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys. While brushing and at-home care are essential, some dental issues can only be treated professionally, and that’s where we come in.

We believe in gentle, transparent care. Here’s what happens during a typical dental procedure:

✅ Step 1: Consultation and Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork

Before the procedure, one of our vets will examine your pet’s mouth and assess their overall health. We’ll perform blood tests to ensure your pet is fit for anesthesia and explain what to expect.

💬 We’ll answer all your questions about dental grading, procedure time, and any follow-up needs.

✅ Step 2: Preparation & Comfort Care

You’ll receive clear instructions on how to prepare your pet for the procedure, such as fasting guidelines and tips to reduce anxiety. For nervous pets, we may recommend pre-visit medication to make the experience less stressful.

🐶 We use Fear Free™ techniques to keep your pet calm before and after the procedure.

✅ Step 3: Professional Dental Cleaning & Treatment

Once your pet is safely under anesthesia, we:

• Scale and polish all teeth using ultrasonic tools
• Take digital dental X-rays to assess roots and bone health
• Extract any damaged or infected teeth (only if necessary)
• Perform oral surgery for more complex cases
   

💡 Every procedure is supervised by experienced veterinarians and supported by advanced anesthesia monitoring to ensure safety at every stage.

✅ Step 4: Recovery in a Calm Environment

After the procedure, your pet will rest in our cozy recovery area under close observation. Most pets wake up comfortably and are ready to go home the same day.

🐾 You’ll receive a call once your pet is awake, along with updates on how everything went.

✅ Step 5: Aftercare and At-Home Support

We’ll provide a personalized aftercare plan, including pain relief (if needed), feeding instructions, and tips to keep your pet’s mouth clean at home.

📅 We may also recommend a follow-up visit to ensure healing is going well.

Q: Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
 Yes. We conduct pre-anesthetic blood tests and monitor your pet continuously with advanced equipment during the procedure. Anesthesia is much safer today than it used to be.

Q: Will my pet be in pain afterward?
 We take pain management seriously. Most pets recover quickly with little to no discomfort. If extractions are needed, we provide pain relief and post-op care instructions.

Q: How long does the procedure take?
 It depends on the extent of the dental work. Most cleanings and extractions take between 1–2 hours, and your pet will usually go home the same day.

Q: Can I stay with my pet during the procedure?
 We know it’s hard to be apart, but for safety and sterility, you’ll drop off your pet and we’ll keep you updated throughout the day.