A Complete Guide: What Really Happens in a Pet Dental Procedure

Clear Answers, Real Solutions

Understanding the full dental exam and procedure helps relieve anxiety and ensures your pet gets the care they need.

10 Steps of a Professional Pet Dental Procedure

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1. Physical Examination

• Heart and lung auscultation
  
• Weight, temperature, oral and dental check
  To confirm your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia
  

 2. Bloodwork & Health Screening

• Liver and kidney function tests
  
• Red/white blood cell and platelet count
  
• BNP test (for cats) to screen for hidden heart disease
  
• Chest X-rays for senior pets to assess for conditions like heart enlargement or lung issues
  

3. Anesthesia Preparation & Monitoring

• Fasting overnight to reduce risk of aspiration pneumonia
  
• IV catheter placement to deliver fluids and medications
  
• Anesthesia is induced via IV, then maintained with oxygen and gas
  
• Continuous monitoring by machine and trained nurse throughout the procedure (heart rate, BP, breathing)
  

💬 “Can dental scaling be done without anesthesia?”

❌ Why We Don’t Recommend Non-Anesthetic Dental Cleaning

Non-anesthetic scaling may seem less risky, but it has critical limitations and safety concerns:

• No dental X-rays: cannot detect hidden issues like abscesses or tooth resorption
• Only cleans surface: can’t reach between teeth or below the gumline
• High stress & injury risk: restraining a conscious pet for extended time with sharp tools is stressful and dangerous
•  No treatment possible: can’t extract diseased teeth or address real problems
• ❗ Delays proper care — the teeth may “look clean,” but serious disease can worsen silently
  
  

4. Ultrasonic Scaling

• An ultrasonic scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar
• Helps expose all tooth surfaces for thorough cleaning
  

5. Detailed Oral Examination

• Probing each tooth for pockets or gum recession
• Checking for loose teeth, disease, or tumors
  

6. Dental X-Rays

• Reveal hidden issues under the gumline: Tooth root abscesses, Tooth resorption (common in cats), Fractures and root damage
  

💬 “Can we skip the X-ray?”

We understand the hesitation — but over 50% of dental disease is hidden beneath the gums. In fact, 42% of feline dental problems can only be diagnosed via X-rays.
Waiting too long may lead to painful abscesses and more invasive procedures later.

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 7. Tooth Extraction (If Needed)

• Some teeth (like canines) require gum incision
• Multi-rooted teeth are sectioned using a dental drill before removal to prevent fracture
• Absorbable sutures are used — no need for removal later
  

8. Polishing

• Tooth surfaces are polished smooth to slow plaque buildup
  

9. Anesthesia Recovery

• Nurse monitors heart rate, temperature, and breathing until fully awake
  

10. Discharge & At-Home Care

• Take-home medications: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain relief
• Soft food for 1 week
• Recheck appointment after 7 days to ensure proper healing

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How Much Does Dental Treatment Cost?

A typical dental procedure starts at HKD $3,000, depending on your pet’s condition and the complexity of treatment.

While the cost varies, the value is long-term: treating dental disease early prevents further health complications, improves your pet’s comfort, and greatly enhances their quality of life.

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Ready to Book or Still Have Questions?

At Swanston Veterinary Hospital, we’re equipped with full dental X-ray, ultrasonic scaling equipment, and an experienced team to care for your pet with precision and compassion.

📞 Call us: 2123 9206
🌐 Book online: https://www.swanstonvet.com/#Booking
🏥 Visit us: Shop 9, The Reach, 38 On Ning Road, Yuen Long
🕙 Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 8pm