Advanced Veterinary Oral Surgery Specialists

Dental Extractions

Extraction of teeth is one of the most common oral surgical procedures performed in dogs and cats. Dental extractions may be necessary for a variety of reasons including severe periodontal disease and tooth resorption. Extraction is also a treatment option for teeth that are fractured or non-vital (dead) as an alternative to endodontic (root canal) therapy.

Oronasal Fistula Repair

An oronasal fistula is a communication between the mouth and the nose that is most commonly caused by severe periodontal disease at the upper canine teeth in dogs, especially toy breeds. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion, reverse sneezing and nasal discharge although some pets will not have obvious symptoms at early stages of the problem.

Oronasal fistulas can be challenging to repair and have the best chance of healing if the surgery is performed correctly the first time.

Oral Tumors

Oral tumors in pets can range from benign growths to serious, life-threatening cancers. They often go unnoticed until they cause pain, bleeding or difficulty eating. Early removal helps ease discomfort and can significantly improve long-term health.

A mandibulectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the lower jaw and a maxillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of the upper jaw. These procedures are done to treat oral cancer, severe trauma or non-healing infections in pets.

While it may sound drastic, many pets adapt incredibly well and regain normal function, including eating and playing comfortably. These procedures can significantly improve a pet’s quality of life and eliminate painful or life-threatening conditions.

What happens when my dog has an oral tumor?

It can be overwhelming and scary to find a tumor in your dog’s mouth. The first step that your Veterinary Dentist® will likely recommend is diagnostic testing to try and determine what kind of mass or tumor your dog is dealing with. This includes Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and a biopsy.

Collecting a biopsy sample of the lesion is an important first step to determine what kind of lesion or cancer is present. This is incredibly important because some tumors will require a large margin of “normal” appearing tissue to be excised to completely remove the cancer. Other masses may not need aggressive surgery or would be better treated with radiation or chemotherapy. Knowing what kind of tumor is present is necessary to make the best choices regarding treatment.

Maxillofacial Trauma

Injuries to the face in dogs and cats can result from accidents, bites or falls and often involve fractures to the jaw, cheekbones or skull. These injuries can be painful and can impact your pet’s ability to eat, breathe and function normally.

If left untreated, jaw fractures can heal improperly, leading to chronic pain, misalignment of the teeth, or infection. Prompt surgical repair helps restore normal function, reduces pain and improves your pet’s quality of life.