Dental Staging: Sometimes 2 Is Better Than 1
At Paws at Prospect Vet, we perform our canine and feline dental procedures across two stages. This is becoming a more common practice in veterinary medicine.
But what is dental staging, and why do we do it this way?
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Stage One: Stage One is for patients showing minor signs of dental disease, like gingivitis and mild tartar, that aren’t yet causing significant issues. It’s a maintenance procedure designed to prevent dental disease from progressing. |
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Stage Two: If a patient has progressive dental disease, they’ll also require Stage Two. This procedure is performed when dental disease has advanced, leading to loose or damaged teeth that next extraction. Stage Two is usually conducted 2-3 weeks after Stage One. |
STAGE ONE
Full Oral Health Examination: Assess the overall condition of the teeth, roots, gums, and mouth
Dental X-Rays: Check the health of tooth structures and root systems, revealing what’s hidden beneath the gums
Scale and Polish Teeth: Remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, including under the gum line
Decide Tooth Extractions: After assessing the condition of the teeth, any that need to be removed will be recorded
Quote for Stage Two: If required, a quote for Stage Two can be provided
STAGE TWO
Local Anaesthetic: A numbing anaesthetic will be applied around the teeth that are being extracted, to reduce pain on recovery
Extraction: The teeth will be removed
Suturing: If required, the gums will be sutured closed with dissolvable sutures
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Veterinary Dental Advancements: Veterinary dental medicine has advanced significantly, allowing us to provide a higher standard of care for your pets. In the past, dental procedures were less sophisticated, often involving only hand-held scalers and tooth removal with cutting wire. Tools like human-grade dental machines, dental x-rays, gum sutures, and even local anesthetics were not used. Consequently, the comprehensive “two-staged dental” approach we use was unnecessary, as procedures were less involved and time-consuming. |
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Enhanced Patient Safety: We also have a much better understanding of anaesthetic safety today. Current veterinary guidelines suggest that two shorter anaesthetic procedures are generally safer than one prolonged one. When both Stage One (assessment and cleaning) and Stage Two (extractions) are attempted in a single procedure, the anaesthetic time can become very lengthy, sometimes lasting several hours. Shorter procedures allow safer, quicker and smoother recoveries for your pet. |
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Accurate Planning and Cost Estimates: It’s challenging to accurately estimate the cost of dental extractions while your pet is awake. Our Stage One procedure, performed under general anesthesia, allows for a complete oral health assessment using dental x-rays, thorough probing of the gum lines, and a detailed examination of the entire mouth. This evaluation ensures a precise, tailored plan for Stage Two, leading to a more accurate cost estimate with no surprises. |
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Same Price: To compensate for the two separate procedures, we offer a reduced anesthetic cost for Stage Two dentals. This makes the overall price comparable to what a single, longer procedure might cost, while prioritising your pet’s safety and well-being. |