Dental treatment — scaling and polishing under anaesthesia
Removal of tartar above and below the gum line, polishing and assessment of every tooth — under general anaesthesia with full monitoring, in line with a written standard.
What it involves
Dental treatment is a complete “tidy-up” of the mouth: removal of tartar and plaque with an ultrasonic scaler, cleaning of the pockets under the gum, polishing of the enamel and a thorough assessment of each tooth individually, including probing of the pocket depth. Every dental treatment is preceded by full dental X-rays — even when the teeth look “fine” from the outside. If necessary, we add extractions of teeth that cannot be saved.
The most important part of the work happens where it cannot be seen: below the gumline. That is where bacteria destroy the ligament and bone, leading to periodontal disease, pain and tooth loss. That is why we perform the procedure only under general anaesthesia — otherwise it is not possible to reach the pockets or to assess the inner surfaces of the teeth safely.
The result is not just clean teeth and fresher breath. We reduce the constant inflammation that burdens the body, and we gain a full map of the dentition, on the basis of which we plan further care.
When it is used
We recommend the procedure when tartar is visible on the teeth, the gums are red or bleeding, the mouth smells bad, or periodontal pockets are found at the consultation. In many small-breed dogs and cats the first scaling is needed between 2 and 4 years of age.
We carry out dental treatment as a separate procedure — we never combine it with other procedures.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- The dog's or cat's teeth show a hard, brown deposit, and the gums next to it are red.
- The mouth odour can be smelt from a distance and persists despite brushing.
- The animal eats more slowly, avoids hard kibble or tilts its head while eating.
- The gums bleed when playing with a rope toy or chew.
- At the consultation the vet found periodontal pockets or loose teeth.
- The cat or dog has been booked for another procedure and has visible tartar — in that case we plan dental treatment as a separate procedure.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
The procedure is preceded by a pre-anaesthetic assessment according to standard STD-01: clinical examination, blood count and biochemistry in our laboratory, and risk grading on the ASA scale. In patients over 7 years of age, in brachycephalic breeds and in those with a heart murmur, we add a chest X-ray, echocardiography or a urine test — depending on what the examination shows.
We always take dental X-rays, during anaesthesia, before cleaning begins — even when the teeth look “fine” from the outside. They show bone loss, root abscesses and resorption that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and they determine whether scaling alone will be enough.
How it proceeds
The patient arrives in the morning fasted (fasting for about 8–12 hours, water available). After the examination and signing of the consent form, the patient receives premedication, we place an IV cannula and connect fluid therapy. General anaesthesia is carried out with intubation — the tube protects the airway from water and fragments of tartar. Throughout, we monitor ECG, oxygen saturation, capnography, blood pressure and temperature in line with standard STD-02, and the patient lies on a heating mat.
After assessing the mouth and the X-rays, we remove tartar with an ultrasonic scaler from the tooth surfaces and from the pockets, clean hard-to-reach areas by hand, and finally polish the enamel with paste to smooth the surface and slow the build-up of new plaque. We assess every tooth with a probe and record the result on the dental chart. Teeth that are loose, with advanced bone loss or with changes on X-ray are removed under the same anaesthetic, after agreeing with you by phone if the scope goes beyond the plan agreed earlier.
Scaling alone usually takes 30–60 minutes; longer with extractions. Recovery takes place under supervision in the hospital, in warmth and quiet, and the patient goes home the same afternoon, once walking steadily and maintaining body temperature.
Aftercare
In the evening after the procedure, give a small, soft portion of food. For 1–2 days the animal may be sleepy and less keen to eat; if there were extractions, feed soft food for 7–14 days and give pain relief as set out in the discharge notes. After the procedure you receive a dental chart describing each tooth, together with the X-ray images.
We book a check-up after 7–10 days if there were extractions, and we start home dental care — daily brushing does the most, while water additives and chews are a supplement. Call us if there is bleeding, swelling of the mouth or fever, or if your pet still refuses all food after 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How often does scaling need to be repeated?
It depends on the breed, age and home dental care. In small-breed dogs and cats with periodontal disease it can be every 12 months; with regular brushing the intervals get longer. We decide on the basis of check-ups.
Is anaesthesia for scaling safe for an older animal?
Age alone does not rule an animal out. The pre-anaesthetic assessment with blood tests, monitoring during the procedure and warming of the patient reduce the risk; if the tests reveal a problem, we treat it first and postpone the procedure.
Will the teeth be white?
The tartar disappears, but the enamel may remain discoloured, especially in older dogs. The aim of the procedure is healthy gums and freedom from pain, not the colour of the teeth.
How many teeth will be removed?
We cannot know for certain before the X-rays. We agree the scope with you at the consultation, and if the images show something unexpected, we phone you during the procedure.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Do you have questions about dental treatment?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.