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Pet Dental Care at Rowan Vets
A safer, smarter approach to your pet’s dental treatment.
Your pet’s dental health is about much more than clean teeth. Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in dogs and cats, and many problems are hidden beneath the gum line where they can’t be seen during a normal examination.
That’s why we’ve introduced our two-stage dental process. It allows us to accurately diagnose dental disease before planning the right treatment, ensuring your pet receives the care they need without making decisions while they are under anaesthetic.
If your dog or cat has bad breath, difficulty eating, red gums, loose teeth, tartar build-up or you’re concerned about their dental health, we’d be happy to help.
Book a dental assessment with Rowan Vets and let us create a personalised treatment plan to keep your pet comfortable, healthy and pain-free.
Watch: How Our Two-Stage Dental Process Works
A short video of Nicole, one of our vets, explaining why we’ve changed the way we care for your pet’s teeth and how this benefits both you and your pet.
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Stage One: Dental Assessment and Diagnosis
The first stage is all about understanding exactly what is happening inside your pet’s mouth.
This procedure is performed under a short general anaesthetic, allowing us to carry out a thorough dental examination safely and comfortably.
During this visit we will:
- Carry out a full oral examination.
- Probe every tooth to assess the health of the gums and supporting tissues.
- Take digital dental X-rays of every tooth to detect disease hidden below the gum line.
- Record detailed dental charts for every tooth.
- Assess loose, damaged or infected teeth.
- Professionally clean your pet’s teeth to remove tartar and plaque where appropriate.
Many painful dental conditions cannot be seen just by looking in the mouth. In fact, much of a tooth lies below the gum line, so dental X-rays are essential for identifying disease that would otherwise go unnoticed.
A Fixed Cost
Stage One is offered at a fixed price, giving you certainty about the cost of diagnosing your pet’s dental health before any treatment decisions need to be made.
Stage Two: Tailored Dental Treatment
Once we’ve completed your pet’s assessment, we know exactly what treatment is needed.
Rather than asking owners to make difficult decisions while their pet is already under anaesthetic, we’ll contact you after reviewing all the findings.
We’ll explain:
- What we’ve found.
- Which teeth are healthy.
- Which teeth need treatment or extraction.
- Why treatment is recommended.
- The expected benefits for your pet.
- The exact cost of the recommended treatment.
Together, we’ll agree the most appropriate treatment plan before booking your pet’s second procedure.
Treatment may include tooth extractions, management of gum disease, treatment of fractured teeth or other dental procedures based entirely on your pet’s individual needs.
Why We’ve Changed Our Dental Process
Our two-stage approach offers important benefits for both pets and their owners.
Better diagnosis
By carrying out a complete examination with dental X-rays and detailed charting, we can diagnose disease accurately rather than relying on what can be seen above the gum line.
Shorter initial anaesthetic
The first procedure is focused solely on diagnosis, helping to keep the initial anaesthetic as short as possible while gathering all the information we need.
No pressure decisions
You won’t receive unexpected phone calls asking you to make important decisions while your pet is under anaesthetic.
Instead, you’ll have time to understand the findings, ask questions and make an informed choice about treatment.
Transparent pricing
Because we know exactly what treatment is required, we can provide an accurate quotation before proceeding. There are no estimates based on guesswork before we’ve fully assessed your pet’s mouth.
Individual care
Every pet’s mouth is different. Some only require minor treatment, while others need more extensive dental work. Our approach means your pet receives the right treatment—not too little, and not more than necessary.
Why Dental X-rays Matter
Did you know that around 60% of your pet’s tooth sits below the gum line?
Without dental X-rays, painful problems such as tooth root infections, resorptive lesions, abscesses and bone loss can easily be missed.
By taking full-mouth dental radiographs, we can diagnose disease earlier and provide treatment that genuinely improves your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t everything be done in one procedure?
Until we’ve completed dental X-rays and a detailed examination, we don’t know exactly what treatment is required. Separating diagnosis from treatment allows us to give you accurate information and obtain your informed agreement before any extractions or additional procedures are carried out.
Will my pet have two anaesthetics?
Yes. Stage One is a shorter anaesthetic for diagnosis, and Stage Two is performed only if treatment is required. This approach enables careful planning, informed consent and accurate pricing before treatment begins.
Is this better for my pet?
We believe so. It allows us to fully understand your pet’s dental health, plan treatment appropriately and focus each procedure on a clear purpose.
Our nursing team can also show you how to care for your pet’s teeth at home and refer you to one of our Vets should they spot any dental problems. We have invested heavily in the latest dental equipment and offer a full range of routine dental procedures on-site for when professional treatment is required.
If you are concerned, book a dental appointment and we can advise you on the appropriate course of treatment for your pet.
