Anasazi Animal Clinic
Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery


FREE Dental Examinations

Be an INFORMED consumer!


There are many veterinary clinics out there that will tell you they "do dentistry". The sad fact is that most of the veterinarians and their staff practicing today have had little to no training in current dental techniques, as well as, dog and cat teeth cleaning. Dr Heidi Lobprise, a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, reports that 60 - 70% of the pathology found in our patients mouths occurs under the gum line and may only be identified with dental x-rays.

According to Jim Merritt, Marketing Manager, Pfizer,
"Less than 10 percent of small animal veterinarians across the country are equipped to take dental X-rays."

So if you want your money spent on a dental procedure that will actually make a difference in your pet's health, ask the question! If a veterinary clinic doesn't take dental x-rays or is not willing to show you dental x-rays, they haven't had sufficient training in veterinary dentistry. Save your money! Call Anasazi today and see the difference.

Dental
Ask Dr. Nossaman about her training program with Dr. Visser and Dr. Coffman on her quest to become a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry!
Speak to our doctors during your visit if you would like to stay with your precious friend (go here) during the dentistry procedure.


Every dental procedure, as well as, dog and cat teeth cleaning at Anasazi includes the following. See AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for more information. (go here)


  • Oral examination under general anesthesia


  • Digital Photography
    • Numerous digital photographs of the doctor's oral findings are viewed on the computer in exam room upon discharge with each client
    • Copies of the photographs will be printed and provided to the client to take home and can also be emailed upon request.

  • Charting each tooth in the mouth


  • Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning)


  • Polishing


  • Oral hygiene rinse


  • Intraoral Digital Radiography (xrays)
    • Assessment of dental disease, jaw fractures, and oral tumors
    • Intraoral radiographs (x-rays) should always be taken prior to any surgical extraction or root canal procedure
    • Digital radiographs are viewed on the computer in exam room and discussed with the doctor upon discharge with each client

  • Occlusal (Bite) Evaluation

Additional services offered are:

  • Periodontics
    • Treatment of disease causing bad breath, discolored teeth or reddened or bleeding gums
  • Feline Dentistry
    • Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion (ORL) and Stomatitis treatment via C02 laser
  • Senior Care
    • Complete dental care, diagnosis and treatment planning for senior patients
  • Dental Laser Surgery and Treatment (Less pain and Swelling)
    • Oral Tumor removal
    • Stomatitis treatment
    • Elongated Soft Palate Repair
  • Oral Surgery
    • Complicated and full-mouth extractions, tooth fractures, palatal defects and oral tumor removal via C02 laser surgery
  • Maxillofacial Surgery
    • Fracture repair of the jaw, lymph node staging salivary gland surgery and tumor removal via C02 laser surgery
  • Orthodontics
    • Correction of painful, incorrect bite alignment and genetic counseling
  • Restorations
    • Treatment to restore the tooth with fillings, crowns or bonding
  • Emergency Oral Trauma Treatment



American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Dental Care Guidlines


Dental care guidelines were developed by Board Certified veterinary dentists as members of the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines Task Force to ensure a higher standard of dental care for veterinarians in general practice to follow. We at Anasazi have used the guidelines as a minimum only; in most cases we far exceed this standard of care due to our advanced training and technology.

Thus, we at Anasazi provide dental treatment that not only "cleans" the teeth (above and below the gum line) but also provides treatment of periodontal disease that keeps your pet healthy for a lifetime.

Please take a moment to view or print the below Dental Care Guidelines.



A simple dental infection
can eat away at your pet's health!


More than 8 out of 10 pets over 4 years old suffer from periodontal disease, a condition in which bacteria attack the soft gum tissue. With gum deterioration, bacteria have a clear path to the bloodstream and vital organs, such as kidney, liver, lungs and heart. Even when teeth appear healthy, bacteria can build up in spaces between teeth and gums resulting in extensive periodontal disease. Even tooth root abscesses may not be apparent and may require intraoral radiographs (dental x-rays) to identify. Intraoral radiographs may also be taken for other abnormal dental conditions. A few examples are:

Intraoral radiogdraphs show the inside of the tooth and the root, which lie below the gum line. Intraoral radiogdraphs are critical in determining the health of your pet's mouth.


See below for Anasazi patients that show other examples of the importance of digital dental x-rays:

Persistent Deciduous
Persistent Deciduous (baby) Teeth


Persistent deciduous teeth are a very common dental problem seen in puppies and young dogs. The condition occurs when the baby tooth and the adult tooth are present at the same time. A baby tooth is not resorbed unless the permanent tooth develops directly underneath. The canine teeth and the incisor teeth are most commonly affected.

Persistent deciduous teeth are most frequently seen in the toy breeds; Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzers, Pomeranian and Dachshunds. The condition is seen less frequently in the larger breeds and cats.

Persistent Deciduous Digital X-ray
Persistent deciduous teeth are a problem when they cause displacement of the permanent teeth. Due to the location of the deciduous teeth, the permanent teeth cannot erupt normally. Persistent deciduous teeth often lead to malocclusion. The resultant malocclusion may subsequently cause trauma to opposing teeth or oral soft tissues. Persistent deciduous teeth also cause overcrowding which may result in serious periodontal disease.

Extraction via Oral Surgery is the treatment for persistent deciduous teeth.

The dental x-ray to the right shows the deciduous as well as the permanent canine teeth.

Dental x-rays should always be taken prior to any surgical extraction. Dental x-rays allow examination of the deciduous as well as the permanent tooth providing a more thorough evaluation of potential problems during the surgical extraction.


 Apical Abscess
Fractured Carnassial Tooth that results in Apical Abscess


Small animals fracture their teeth many ways, from chewing on a cage door, crates or chain link fences. Hard chew toys, ice cubes, or cow hooves may also cause fractures. Auto accidents, aggressive protection training, and dogfights can also fracture a tooth.

All teeth are susceptible to fracture however; in the mature animal the canines are the most common followed by the maxillary 4th premolar and the incisors. In pups less than 6 months old, deciduous canines are the most common.

Just because an animal doesn't appear to be in pain does not mean damage and discomfort are not occurring. Often pets do not complain to us until severe infection has occurred. Animals experience extreme pain when the tooth fractures, as those of you know that have fractured a tooth. Eventually the pulp dies and the pain decreases until an abscess forms. Animals show dental pain many ways:

Veterinary Pet Insurance
  • Chewing on one side
  • Pawing at their mouth
  • Dropping food while eating
  • Drooling
  • Shying away from being petted
  • Refusing hard food or chew toys
    •
Besides pain, infection can result from fractured teeth. Once the pulp is exposed bacteria in the mouth have access to the circulation and may cause damage to heart valves, kidneys and liver as well causing a painful abscess at the root. Even if the pulp is not exposed fracture of the enamel allows exposure of the dentin tubules, which communicate with the pulp, also a means of abscess formation.

If a fracture is detected early, endodontic care can save the tooth. Veterinarians with advanced dentistry training such as Dr. Nossaman can perform root canals. If this treatment is not an option, the tooth must be extracted to relieve the pain and protect infection that will affect your precious friend's quality of life.

Digital dental x-ray to the right shows apical abscess of the above carnassial tooth.Apical Abscess Digital X-ray

As you can see from the above left photo, there was nothing externally to indicate the severe apical (root) abscess on this tooth. Luckily, digital dental x-rays are always taken at Anasazi Animal Clinic which allows us to treat your special friend correctly, saving him from months of pain and even the systemic effects of oral infection.


Dens invaginatus, an unexpected finding



Dens-InvaginatusThis photo to the left depicts a dog appearing to have moderate periodontal disease. However, physical exam alone is not enough. Digital dental x-rays at Anasazi Animal Clinic tell the true story of severe periodontal disease as well as the large apical (root) abscess in this tooth. This abscess was caused by a developmental condition known as Dens invaginatus.

Dens invaginatus arises as the result of invagination of enamel on the crown of a tooth before it becomes calcified. This is most commonly seen in the first molar tooth of the dog. This invagination allows bacteria into the pulpal tissue causing necrosis and tooth abscess.

Endodontic treatment may be an option but is technically difficult and requires a crown restoration. The alternative treatment is surgical extraction. Both treatments relieve the suffering caused by the chronic pain and effects of chronic infection.Dens-Invaginatus Digital X-ray

The x-ray to the right shows the root abscess resulting from disruption of the pulp by the invaginated enamel.

Dental radiography is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Had x-rays not been taken this condition would have surely been overlooked and the patient would have suffered many more months of discomfort and harmful effects to their health.
Malocclusion


Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to abnormal tooth alignment. The most common malocclusions seen in veterinary medicine are:

  • Overbite - maxilla is longer than the mandible. This bite is never considered normal in any breed and is considered a genetic fault.
  • Under bite - the maxilla is shorter than the mandible. Some short muzzled breeds normally have an under bite.
  • Wry bite - when one side of the jaw grows more than the other. This may lead to abnormal wear or even penetration of the palate or mandible.
    • Malocclusion

  • Base narrow canines - mandibular canines protrude inward and contact the palate. (See photos to the left). May lead to infection or even penetration of the palate. Potentially very painful.
  • Rotated teeth - occurs in short muzzled breeds, common in the maxillary premolars. If boney support is inadequate, may lead to infection and periodontal disease.
  • Rostral displacement of canines - upper canines teeth point towards the nose instead of down or upward. Commonly called lance or spear canines.



    • Malocclusion
    All of these conditions can cause damage to your pet's teeth, injury to the palate or mandible, resulting in chronic pain and or infection.

    Malocclusion Digital X-ray

    Detected early, interceptive orthodontics may include:

  • Extraction of deciduous teeth. This oral surgery may allow normal jaw growth and the possibility that the permanent teeth will erupt in a normal occlusion.


    • The digital x-ray to the right shows the permanent teeth located to the inside of the deciduous teeth. Oral surgery extraction of the deciduous teeth may allow normal eruption of the permanent teeth, thus correcting the malocclusion.

  • Crown reduction (reducing the height of a tooth) - prevents penetration of a maloccluded tooth into the palate or the mandible. This procedure can also reduce attrition or abnormal wear when teeth are rubbing on other teeth.
  • Orthodontic movement of teeth by wires and elastics, similar to orthodontics performed in humans.


    • Thus, with early detection and treatment you can protect your precious friend from lifelong discomfort and infection caused by genetic and dental malocclusion.


    We at Anasazi believe so strongly in the benefits of intraoral radiogdraphs that we added a new state-of-the-art digital radiography system (digital x-rays) in 2004 for your precious pet. High definition intraoral digital radiographs provide exceptionally clear pictures for better diagnosis and use approximately 90% less than the usual dosage of radiation. Additionally, intraoral digital radiographs require less time to produce quality films, thus decreasing the time that your pet is under anesthesia.


    Aren't you glad that Anasazi performs intraoral digital radiology
    and that you have chosen us to be your healthcare partner for your special friend!


    View Dental Charts that each client will be given at discharge of their pet

     Dentistry client education articles from American Veterinary Dental Society

    Anesthetic Monitoring

    Anasazi Animal Clinic features state-of-the-art anesthetic monitoring equipment with reliable and accurate measurements of important parameters affecting your pet's anesthesia during dental and surgical procedures. We know that anesthesia is a scary prospect and we take every step to ensure the safety and well being of your animal.


    More dentistry client education articles from various sources:Dental2

    A special thank you to Dr. Visser and Dr. Coffman for mentoring Dr. Nossaman on the path to become a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry!

    Dr. Chris J. Visser, DVM
    Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College
    Fellow of the International Academy of Veterinary Dentistry

    Dr. Curt R. Coffman, DVM
    Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College
    Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry

    and

    Dr. Louis J. Visser, DDS
    Visser Family Dentistry

    Thank you also to Wendy, Erik and the staff at Aid Animal Dental Clinic for graciously providing on-going training to our doctors and veterinary nurses. Their state of the art instruction in advanced veterinary dentistry allows Anasazi to offer our patients the absolute best in dental prophylaxis, digital radiology, periodontal therapy and oral surgery.