No. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Your pet won't feel any discomfort during the cleaning.

After the procedure, we provide pain medication for 3-5 days to ensure your pet stays comfortable. Most pets bounce back to their normal routine within 24-48 hours.

Yes. We use modern, proven anesthetic protocols. Every pet receives:

• Complete pre-anesthetic blood work
• Customized anesthesia based on weight, age, and health status
• Continuous monitoring throughout the procedure (heart rate, oxygen, temperature)
• IV fluids for stabilization
• Dedicated qualified staff present at all times

The anesthetic risk is extremely low for healthy pets.

Anesthesia-free dental cleanings have several serious limitations:

• Can't clean below the gumline (where 60% of problems hide)
• Causes significant stress for your pet
• Risk of injury if your pet moves
• Doesn't allow for dental X-rays
• Disease continues to progress beneath the surface

A complete cleaning under anesthesia remains the only safe and effective method recommended by veterinary associations.

The duration depends on your pet's needs:

• Simple cleaning: 45-60 minutes
• With extractions: 1.5-2 hours
• Wake-up and observation period: 2-3 hours

Your pet can typically go home the same day, usually by late afternoon.

It depends on several factors:

• Pets with good dental health: Every 1-2 years
• Predisposed breeds (small breeds, flat-faced breeds): Usually annually
• Pets with a history of dental disease: Every 6-12 months
• With regular brushing at home: Less frequently

We'll assess your pet's specific needs during their annual exam.

In most cases, yes. Senior pets often benefit even more from dental cleanings because:

• Dental disease tends to worsen with age
• Eliminating infection protects vital organs (heart, kidneys, liver)
• Relieving chronic pain improves their quality of life
• It can boost their appetite and energy levels

We adjust our anesthetic protocols based on your pet's age and health. Pre-operative blood work helps us assess risks and tailor our approach accordingly.

If you're noticing signs of dental disease (tartar, bad breath, red gums), we recommend not waiting. Here's why:

• Dental disease progresses quickly
• The longer you wait, the more complex the treatment becomes
• Your pet may be suffering silently during that time
• Health risks increase as the condition worsens

We recommend taking action as soon as you notice signs of a dental problem.

A TREATMENT PLAN TAILORED TO YOUR PET

Veterinary dentistry isn't one-size-fits-all. Your pet has unique needs. Here's how we structure our care:

STEP 1: THE BASELINE PLAN (Starting at ~$900)

All our dental plans include these essential safety and quality elements:

What's Included	Why It Matters
Pre-op medical exam	To detect any health concerns
Complete blood work	To verify organs can handle anesthesia
Anesthesia + Monitoring	Maximum safety during the procedure
IV fluid therapy	Maintains stable blood pressure
Dental X-rays	Reveals 60% of problems you can't see
Scaling + Polishing	Complete professional cleaning
Laser therapy	Reduces inflammation and speeds healing

STEP 2: CUSTOMIZATION BASED ON YOUR PET'S NEEDS

Once your pet is asleep and we've taken X-rays, we assess the full extent of what's needed. That's when the plan may be adjusted:

Your pet might need:

WHY THIS APPROACH?

We don't want to charge you for services your pet doesn't need. At the same time, we can't know the full extent of the work until we've:

1. Put your pet under anesthesia (for a thorough exam)
2. Taken X-rays (to see below the gumline)
3. Probed each tooth (to assess mobility and infection)

OUR COMMUNICATION PROCESS:

HOW TO GET AN ACCURATE TREATMENT PLAN FOR YOUR PET?

Book a dental evaluation appointment. We'll examine your pet's mouth and provide:

• ✓ A realistic picture of their dental condition
• ✓ A personalized treatment plan with cost breakdown
• ✓ Recommendations tailored to your budget and their needs

Standard payment policy:

• 50% of the treatment plan amount is required before the anesthetic procedure
• The balance is due when your pet goes home

We accept the following payment methods: cash, debit, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).

Note: If the final cost differs significantly from the initial treatment plan (for example, if additional extractions are needed), we'll contact you during the procedure to get your approval before proceeding.

Coverage depends on your insurance policy:

• Preventive care: Rarely covered by insurance
• Dental disease treatment: Often partially covered (once the disease is diagnosed)

We recommend checking directly with your insurer for details about your coverage. We provide all necessary documents (itemized invoices, veterinary notes) to make filing claims easier.

Regular brushing is the #1 prevention method. It helps:

• Space out professional cleaning appointments
• Reduce long-term dental care costs
• Prevent pain and associated diseases
• Improve your pet's overall health and lifespan

Daily brushing is ideal, but even 3-4 times a week makes a significant difference. We'll provide you with a complete guide and show you how to do it effectively.

It's normal for pets to resist at first. Here's a progressive approach that works:

1. Week 1: Just touch their lips and teeth with your finger. Reward generously.
2. Week 2: Introduce pet toothpaste on your finger (they love the flavor!).
3. Week 3: Use a rubber finger brush with gentle movements.
4. Week 4: Gradually transition to a pet toothbrush.

Patience and positivity are key. Most pets adapt within 2-4 weeks. We can demonstrate techniques during your visit.

While nothing beats brushing, some complementary options can help:

• Specialized dental diets (e.g., Hill's t/d, Royal Canin Dental)
• VOHC-approved dental treats
• Water additives
• Appropriate chew toys

Avoid: Cooked bones and deer antlers (too hard, risk of fractured teeth).

For best results, combine multiple prevention methods. We can recommend products best suited to your pet.

Ignoring dental disease can have serious consequences:

Short-term (6-12 months):

• Chronic daily pain
• Difficulty eating
• Weight loss
• Oral infections

Medium-term (1-3 years):

• Tooth loss
• Risk of jaw fracture
• Painful dental abscesses
• Bacteria in the bloodstream

Long-term (3+ years):

• Increased risk of heart disease
• Kidney and liver problems
• Reduced life expectancy

Dental care isn't optional—it's essential to your pet's overall health.

If teeth need to be extracted, it's because they're already too damaged to save. The tartar was holding them in place artificially.

Extracting diseased teeth allows us to:

• Remove a constant source of infection
• Relieve your pet's pain
• Prevent the infection from spreading

Good news: Pets adapt remarkably well to tooth loss. Many continue eating normally even after multiple extractions. Their quality of life typically improves significantly once the pain is gone.

Wait times vary depending on the time of year:

• Evaluation consultation: Usually 1-2 weeks
• Scheduled dental procedure: 2-4 weeks
• Urgent cases: We prioritize within 3-5 days

In February (Pet Dental Health Month), spots fill up faster. We recommend booking early to secure the times that work best for you.

Call us at 514-223-1197 to check current availability.

Yes, pre-anesthetic fasting is necessary:

• Food: Remove 12 hours before the procedure (by midnight the night before)
• Water: Remove 2-3 hours before arriving at the clinic
• Regular medications: We'll let you know which ones to give or withhold

You'll receive a detailed instruction sheet when you book the appointment.

Usually the same day, by late afternoon:

• Drop-off: Morning (between 7-9 AM)
• Procedure: Mid-morning
• Pick-up: Typically around 4-5 PM

In some cases requiring extended observation, we may recommend overnight care until the next morning.

We'll call you as soon as your pet is awake and ready to go home. You'll receive all post-operative instructions during pick-up.

Every year in February, we highlight the importance of pet dental health. This month, for any baseline dental treatment plan booked before March 1st, 2026, we include three essential items free to help you extend the benefits of treatment at home.

What's included in the baseline dental treatment plan:

• Pre-operative exam
• Complete blood work (hematology, biochemistry)
• General anesthesia and monitoring
• IV fluid therapy
• Digital dental X-rays
• Scaling, polishing, and laser therapy

Included free during February:

• Bag of dental food
• Home brushing kit
• Dental prevention guide

It's the perfect time to take care of your pet's oral health with everything you need to keep those teeth healthy!

Yes. As long as you book your appointment before March 1st, 2026, you'll receive the Pet Dental Health Month benefits, even if the procedure takes place in March or April.