For most people, regular dental visits coupled with daily preventative care is just something “we do” to stay healthy. Did you know that our animals need dental care, too? In fact, bad breath can be a sign of periodontal disease one of the most commonly ignored problems in our pets.

Dental disease can have a serious impact on the quality of life and health of our pets. Tufts Veterinary Medical Center’s (Tufts VMC) Dentistry and Oral Surgery team offer a number of treatments from routine dental cleaning to more complicated procedures like root canals and orthodontics for your furry family members.

Most family veterinarians will examine your pet’s teeth and gums during his or her yearly wellness appointment. For many dogs and cats, yearly cleanings are enough to maintain their oral and dental health, and this routine dental care often can be provided by your regular veterinarian. However, some animals require more frequent or more advanced care.

Tufts VMC provides pre–procedural consultations with clients as well as phone consultations with referring veterinarians.

Dental Services

We are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your family pet.

Diagnostics

• Digital and conventional dental radiographs
• Probing and charting of all the teeth
• Biopsies of masses or other lesions

Periodontal Therapy

• Routine cleanings which include scaling above and below the gum line and polishing
• Guided tissue regeneration
• Gingival contouring to reduce periodontal pockets
• Extractions

Endodontic Therapy

• Root canal therapy
• Vital pulp therapy

Orthodontics

• Correction of malocclusions causing trauma

Treatment of maxillofacial trauma

• Open or closed reduction and stabilization of jaw fractures
• Treatment of luxated or avulsed teeth

Because all dental and oral surgery procedures must be done under anesthesia, a full pre–anesthetic work–up is required. You may bring in results from recent blood tests from your regular veterinarian as long as it is within 30 days of your appointment. We work closely with a board–certified anesthesiologist and highly trained certified veterinary technicians to make sure your pet’s anesthesia and recovery is as smooth as possible.

Meet Dr. Joo

Dr. Jean Joo graduated from the College of veterinary medicine at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.  She completed a small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at VCA Sacramento Animal Medical group in Carmichael, CA.  She received her Dentistry and Oral Surgery training at the University Of California School Of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, CA.