Removing complex teeth safely and with minimal impact.
Why surgical extractions might be needed
Sometimes, the best way to protect a pet’s long-term health and comfort is to remove a tooth or teeth causing pain or damage. If a surgical extraction has been recommended, it means every effort to save the teeth has been made, and removal is now the best option for your pet’s wellbeing.
Surgical extractions are one of the treatment options for:
- Periodontal disease – Teeth that have become unstable or infected due to advanced disease are often removed to prevent ongoing pain and support healing of surrounding tissues.
- Fractures – When teeth break, exposing sensitive structures or losing strength, extraction helps eliminate pain and lower the risk of infection. The larger teeth, such as the canines and carnassials, usually require surgical extractions.
- Malocclusions – Teeth sitting in abnormal positions can damage the tongue and gums; removing them protects against further injury and relieves existing discomfort.
The difference between surgical and non-surgical extractions
You may hear extractions described as either surgical or non-surgical. The approach depends on the tooth’s size, position and how firmly it is attached.
Surgical extractions involve creating a gum flap, and sometimes a small amount of bone is removed or the tooth is sectioned into parts to help with removal. This approach is typically needed for larger or more complex teeth, such as canines or carnassials, or when the roots are difficult to access. Once the tooth is out, the site is closed with dissolvable stitches.
Non-surgical extractions, also called closed extractions, are simpler. They are usually suited to smaller teeth, like incisors, which can be removed using elevators or luxators without needing to lift the gum or remove any bone.
What happens on the day
If your pet is booked in for a surgical extraction, you’re likely wondering how the day will unfold. While no procedure under anaesthetic is without risk, the process at Advanced Animal Dentistry is carefully planned to support their wellbeing from the moment they arrive, right through to recovery and discharge home.
Before we begin the extraction, we perform a nerve block. This numbs the area so your pet feels no pain during surgery. They will also require less anaesthetic overall, and they’ll wake up more comfortably.
Radiographs help map out the procedure by showing root shape, bone health and any underlying disease that could affect how the tooth is removed.
Once we have the full picture, we begin surgery by creating a gum flap to access the tooth. If needed, we remove a small amount of bone to make removal easier. For teeth with multiple roots, we section them into individual parts and extract each one separately.
After removing the tooth or teeth, we smooth the area and close the gum flap with dissolvable stitches so your pet won’t need a second procedure to take them out.
In many cases, a full dental clean will also be performed during the same procedure if needed, unless previously discussed otherwise.
Now, it’s time for recovery. Thanks to our care and careful approach to anaesthesia, most pets recover well and without complications. Our team monitors them closely throughout the entire procedure. The majority of patients go home the same day, once they are awake and stable.
Some thoughts on aftercare and potential complications
Pet owners often ask us about what happens next. As with human surgeries, there are a few important things to keep in mind in the days and weeks after the procedure. We recommend a modified diet for several days post-op to avoid stressing the surgical site. Good options include small, soft pieces of food, for example, diced cooked meat or something like Prime100 rolls.
Some simple behavioural changes can help the healing process. Tug games should be avoided, and walks kept short and on a leash for about a week to protect the surgical site as much as possible. It’s not always easy, but doing what you can makes a difference.
You’ll have a post-op check about one week after the surgical extraction to ensure that everything is healing as expected. In the meantime, if you notice anything unusual, definitely call us or your regular vet.
Complications are highly unlikely, but can happen. However, they’re generally very manageable. Some of the things to look out for include:
- Wound breakdown – this is rare, but occasionally stitches can be licked out
- Licking or slight tongue movement changes – this is more likely a concern when lower canines are removed
- Tongue prolapse- there is a small possibility of the tongue flopping out of the mouth, and it’s only a cosmetic issue if it does occur – again, this is only a concern when lower canines are removed
- Risk of jaw fracture – this is very unlikely, and very manageable if it does happen, but small breed dogs and those with advanced periodontal disease are more vulnerable
FAQs
- How long will my dog be at the hospital?
Most pets go home the same day. Once your dog is fully awake and stable after the procedure, the team will talk you through how everything went and when to come in for a post-op check.
- Will my pet need pain relief at home?
Yes. Although a nerve block and other types of pain control are used during the procedure to minimise pain and reduce anaesthetic requirements, pain relief at home is still important for comfort during the healing period. You will be provided with medication and clear instructions before discharge.
- Can I leave my pet alone the next day?
That depends on your pet’s usual behaviour and how they’re recovering. If they’re quiet and settled, a short period alone is generally fine. In rare cases, it may be best to have someone nearby to supervise for the first day or two.
- Will there be a change in appearance (like tongue prolapse)?
This is a possibility if the lower canines are removed. In those cases, the tongue may occasionally slip out slightly, but this is generally cosmetic and doesn’t affect quality of life.
- How long before normal activities can resume?
Avoid tug games and stick to short leash walks for about a week. After that, most pets can return to their usual routines, depending on how the site is healing.
- Will further treatments be needed if new issues are found during the procedure?
If anything unexpected turns up on radiographs or during the procedure, the team will contact you straight away to discuss options. In many cases, a full dental clean is performed during the same procedure if needed, unless this has been discussed otherwise.
