Veterinary Dentistry in Denver, CO

Keep your pet’s smile healthy and pain-free with expert veterinary dentistry services, including exams, cleanings, oral surgery, and digital radiographs.

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Comprehensive Pet Dental Care in Denver

At Urban Vet Care, we believe that a healthy mouth is essential to a healthy pet. That’s why we offer advanced veterinary dentistry services to help prevent, diagnose, and treat oral health conditions before they become serious. Whether your pet needs a routine dental cleaning, a full-mouth evaluation, or specialized oral surgery, our experienced team is here to provide safe, compassionate care at every stage of your pet’s life.

Dental Exams: The First Step to Oral Health

Routine dental exams are the foundation of lifelong pet dental health. During your pet’s wellness visit or dental consultation, our veterinarians will examine your pet’s teeth, gums, tongue, and oral structures for signs of:

Tartar buildup and plaque
Gingivitis or periodontal disease
Broken or loose teeth
Oral masses or growths
Signs of infection or pain

Because many dental issues develop below the gumline, we may recommend further diagnostics such as radiographs or a professional cleaning under anesthesia. Early detection is key to minimizing discomfort and preserving your pet’s oral and overall health.

Pet Teeth Cleaning: A Deeper Clean

Our professional teeth cleaning services go far beyond what brushing at home can do. Cleanings are performed under general anesthesia to ensure a thorough and stress-free experience for your pet.

Each procedure includes:

Pre-anesthetic exam and bloodwork
Ultrasonic scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar
Subgingival (under the gum) cleaning
Post-cleaning fluoride treatment and polish

Cleanings are often recommended annually, depending on your pet’s age, breed, and dental history. Routine dental care helps prevent periodontal disease, which affects most pets by age three and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Pet Oral Surgery: Expert Care When It’s Needed Most

In some cases, your pet may require oral surgery to resolve advanced dental disease, trauma, or oral tumors. Our skilled team provides surgical solutions with your pet’s safety and comfort in mind.

Oral surgery may be recommended for:

Tooth root abscesses
Fractured or retained teeth
Severe gingival overgrowth
Oral tumors or masses
Resorptive lesions (especially common in cats)

We use modern anesthetic protocols and post-operative pain management to ensure your pet’s comfort throughout the process.

Digital Dental Radiographs: Seeing What’s Beneath the Surface

Dental radiographs are a critical diagnostic tool in modern veterinary dentistry. Up to two-thirds of each tooth lies below the gumline, making radiographs the only way to identify issues such as root infections, resorptive lesions, and bone loss.
Without radiographs, studies show that up to 75% of dental pathology may go undetected. That’s why we perform full-mouth digital radiographs with every dental cleaning and any time an oral concern is suspected.

Benefits of dental radiographs include:

Detecting hidden disease
Guiding treatment decisions
Monitoring long-term oral health
Improving surgical outcomes
Documenting changes in your pet’s medical record

Our high-resolution digital imaging system provides fast, detailed results and reduces radiation exposure compared to traditional methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is anesthesia necessary for pet dental cleanings?

Yes. Unlike human dental cleanings, pets require general anesthesia to safely and thoroughly clean their teeth. This allows our team to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gumline, take full-mouth dental radiographs, and perform any necessary extractions or treatments without stress or discomfort for your pet.

Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

Absolutely. We follow strict safety protocols for every procedure. This includes a pre-anesthetic exam, bloodwork, and an individualized anesthesia plan based on your pet’s age, breed, and health status. During the cleaning or procedure, your pet is continuously monitored by trained technicians using advanced equipment to track heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and more.

Can my pet eat before their dental cleaning?

In most cases, your pet should not eat for 8–12 hours prior to the procedure. Water is usually allowed up until a few hours before your scheduled drop-off. We’ll give you specific fasting instructions the day before your pet’s appointment to ensure a safe and smooth anesthesia process.

How often does my pet need a dental cleaning?

Most pets benefit from annual dental cleanings, but some may require more frequent care based on their breed, age, or existing dental issues. Small breed dogs, flat-faced breeds, and older pets are particularly prone to periodontal disease and may need cleanings every 6–12 months.

How will I know if my pet needs dental care?

Common signs of dental disease in pets include bad breath, drooling, difficulty chewing, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, and changes in eating behavior. However, many dental issues develop below the gumline and go unnoticed—making regular dental exams and radiographs essential even when your pet seems fine.

Will my pet need extractions?

If a tooth is fractured, loose, or infected, extraction may be recommended to prevent pain and further complications. We never extract teeth unless it’s medically necessary, and we’ll always discuss findings with you before proceeding.

What is recovery like after a dental procedure?

Most pets recover quickly from cleanings and minor procedures. For extractions or oral surgery, your pet may experience mild soreness, and we’ll send home pain medications and feeding guidelines. We also provide a follow-up plan to monitor healing and ensure your pet is comfortable.