Veterinary Ultrasonic Dental Scalers - A Vet's Best Tool for Dog Dental Health

A Veterinarian's Best Tool for Dog Dental Health

Keeping our furry friends' teeth clean is an important part of providing them with the best quality of life. As pet owners, most of us try our best to brush our dogs' teeth regularly. However, over time tartar and plaque can still accumulate and lead to infection or tooth loss if left untreated. This is where the veterinary ultrasonic dental scaler comes in - offering veterinarians an efficient way to clean dogs' teeth thoroughly and painlessly.

What is a Veterinary Ultrasonic Scaler?

An ultrasonic dental scaler is a special veterinary device that uses high frequency sound vibrations to remove tartar and plaque from dog's teeth. It consists of a handheld wand and tip that vibrates at a very high speed, allowing the veterinarian to break up calculus deposits quickly and with precise control.

Ultrasonic dog tooth scalers work by disrupting the bacterial bonds that allow plaque to adhere strongly to the tooth surface.As the scaler tip vibrates rapidly over the tooth, these bonds are broken up, and the calculus gets flushed away by the water flowing over the area. This leaves clean and smooth tooth surfaces without damaging the tooth enamel.

The Benefits of Ultrasonic Dog Tooth Scaling

Using an ultrasonic scaler for dogs' teeth cleaning has many advantages over using traditional manual scalers or curettes.

• Faster procedure time - Ultrasonic scaling is very efficient so full mouth scaling takes less time.
• Patient comfort - The smooth vibrations cause less pain and discomfort for the dog.
• Better infection control - Removes more calculus from tooth surfaces inhibiting bacteria.
• Minimally invasive - Does not damage healthy tooth structure while cleaning.

This results in quicker, more comfortable dental procedures for the dogs and better health outcomes. The efficiency of these units also allows the veterinarian to see more dental patients per day.

The Ultrasonic Scaling Procedure for Dogs

Professional veterinary dental cleanings generally follow the same basic steps when an ultrasonic scaler is used on a dog:

1. Anesthesia - The dog is fully sedated/anesthetized before starting any scaling.
2. Exam & Radiographs - The teeth are examined and dental x-rays taken if needed.
3. Tartar Removal - The ultrasonic scaler is moved meticulously over every tooth surface to remove tartar above and below the gumline.
4. Polishing - Once descaled, the teeth are polished smooth with a special polishing paste.
5. Flushing - The mouth is thoroughly flushed to remove debris.
6. Recovery - The dog is monitored until fully recovered from anesthesia before going home.

Proper dental scaling and cleaning requires anesthesia even with modern tools like ultrasonic scalers. This keeps the dog still allowing precise calculus removal above and below gum lines. The polished teeth are then ready for the owner to brush daily at home.

Types of Tips Used on the Veterinary Ultrasonic Scaler

Specialized scaler tips allow the ultrasonic vibrations to be directed appropriately over different areas of the dog's mouth:

• Universal tips - For general supragingival scaling on the tooth crown.
• Perio tips - Thinner tapered tips for calculus removal below the gumline and around dental implants.
• Endo tips - Finely pointed tips for cleaning deeply within small spaces and pockets.

The thin flexible fiber optic tips provide versatility and precision during the ultrasonic scaling process. Dental calculus is accessed and removed from even minute spaces between teeth and around dental restorations.

Providing Proper Dog Dental Care

While ultrasonic dental units allow veterinarians to clean dogs' teeth quickly and effectively, dogs still require home care such as regular brushing to prevent recurrence of dental disease. Annual professional dental cleanings are also recommended to remove accumulations below gum level.

By understanding the importance of both home care and professional cleanings, we can help promote better lifelong dental health for our furry companions.

FAQs

What is ultrasonic scaling?

Ultrasonic scaling uses high-frequency sound vibrations to disrupt tartar and plaque on dogs' teeth. Special scaler tips are moved over the tooth surfaces to break up calculus deposits which gets flushed away with water. This efficiently cleans the teeth without damaging healthy tooth surfaces.

Is a dog anesthetized for dental ultrasonic scaling?

Yes, it is necessary for dogs to be fully anesthetized during dental scaling procedures. This allows the veterinarian to thoroughly clean above and below gumlines without causing pain or discomfort to the dog.

What are some benefits of ultrasonic dog dental scalers?

Benefits include faster procedure times, increased patient comfort, better infection control, and maintaining tooth integrity compared to using hand instruments alone. The efficient calculus removal promotes better oral health.

How can I help prevent dental disease in my dog at home?

Daily tooth brushing and dental chews help remove plaque. However, most dogs still require annual veterinary dental cleanings to remove tartar below gum level that leads to infection and tooth loss over time.