"Does the tooth really have to come out?" is one of the most common questions owners ask. Extraction sounds drastic, but in many cases it is the best way to free an animal from pain and stop disease. Here is when it is necessary and what it involves.
When a tooth must be removed
- advanced periodontal disease with a loose tooth,
- tooth resorption (especially in cats),
- fractures that expose or infect the pulp,
- tooth-root abscesses and draining tracts,
- retained baby teeth and some malocclusions.
Why removal beats leaving it
A diseased tooth is a constant source of pain and infection that the animal endures in silence. Left "for later", it usually leads to complications: abscesses, damage to neighbouring teeth, even jaw fractures in advanced resorption. Removing a single diseased tooth often brings an immediate return of appetite and good spirits.
How the procedure works
Extraction is done under general anaesthesia, after assessing the patient's health. A prior X-ray is essential - it shows the shape and condition of the roots. More difficult teeth (such as multi-rooted canines) are removed surgically, with a gum incision and the wound closed with dissolvable sutures.
Recovery
Most animals go back to eating the very next day. For a few days we recommend soft food, pain relief and avoiding hard chews. The wound usually heals within one to two weeks. Post-operative discomfort is far less than the pain the diseased tooth was causing.
Will dogs and cats manage without a tooth
Yes - animals cope perfectly well even after many teeth are removed, and without pain they eat more willingly than before. The goal of dentistry is not to keep teeth at all costs, but comfort and freedom from pain. Extractions in dogs and cats at MultiVet in Lutynia near Wrocław are performed by Dominika Pilarz, DVM - see our dentistry service.