Dental health is an important part of a happy and healthy pet. Many pet owners may not realize the impact dental health has on dog and cat wellness. But how much does pet dental treatment actually cost? And how does it work for that matter?
Every so often, you throw a dental chew your pet’s way. You don’t have time to brush Mittens’ teeth (you may barely have time to brush your own).
As a pet parent, you may wonder whether you can do more and whether tooth extractions are a foregone conclusion. This article outlines the expected costs for pet dental treatment, including tooth extractions, root canals and dental cleanings for both dogs and cats:
Article Contents:
Pet Tooth Extractions Issues
Dog Dental Treatment Costs
Cat Dental Treatment Costs
When Is It Time for Dental Treatment?
Dental Care and Pet Insurance
Issues that Lead to Pet Tooth Extractions
One of the most common reasons for tooth extractions for cats and dogs is advanced periodontal disease, according to the MSPCA-Angell. Periodontal disease, an infection of the tissues that hold your pet’s teeth in place, is common in itself, occurring in 80-85 percent of dogs and cats over two years of age.
Advanced or end-stage periodontal disease is common in dogs and often requires a dog dental extraction. If your pet doesn’t have advanced periodontal disease, there may be an opportunity to get a root canal instead to save some of the tooth’s life.
7 reasons for animal tooth extractions:
Fractured teeth, typically the result of inappropriate chew items – nylabones, antlers, and marrow bones.
Malocclusion, or an abnormal alignment of the teeth, is also called an abnormal bite.
Crowding/supernumerary teeth, which refers to teeth, or tooth-like structures that have either erupted or remain unerupted in addition to primary or permanent teeth.
Accidents
Malnutrition
Tooth resorption, or the erosion of cementum and dentin that often progresses into the pulp of the affected tooth.
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis, or severe and chronic inflammation of a cat’s gingiva (gums) and mucosa, the moist tissue that lines its oral cavity.
To help avoid some of the most common tissue diseases and the exacerbation of accidents, take your pet for routine teeth cleanings and check-ups.
Dog Dental Treatment Costs
What is the average cost to have a dog’s teeth cleaned?
Dog teeth cleaning costs a few hundred dollars – but what starts out as a cleaning could cost more if your vet discovers that your pet needs an extraction.
It’s a good idea to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned anywhere from once every six months to once a year, depending on the dog. Smaller breeds often need more cleanings because their teeth usually grow closer together.
What do you pay for? Dog dental cleaning usually involves:
X-rays of the mouth, jaw, and the tooth roots
Visual examination of the teeth, gums, tongue cheeks and roof of the mouth
Removing tartar and plaque buildup
Polishing the teeth
Anesthesia
How Much Does a Dog Dental Extraction Cost?
A simple canine tooth extraction can be as low as $10 to $15. Elevated extractions, which involves elevation of each root, costs more, depending how much work it is to get a tooth out – up to $25 to $35 per tooth. Multiple roots split with a drill can cost up to $100 per tooth.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
Dog root canals cost between $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the root. Teeth like the upper fourth premolar, a three-rooted tooth is three root canals.
Cat Dental Treatment Costs
How much should it cost to have a cat’s teeth cleaned?
Dental cleanings for cats can range from $190 to $400, depending on if they need treatment for a dental disease. Your veterinarian can give you a more individualized estimate.
Having your cat’s teeth cleaned can be expensive, but forgoing it can be even more costly to your pocketbook and can hurt your cat if problems go untreated.
How Much Does a Cat Tooth Extraction Cost?
The cost of a cat tooth extraction may vary by condition and your location, but can range from $300 to almost $1,300.
Seventy percent of cats are affected by a dental disease by the time they’re three years old, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Excessive tartar and plaque or tooth decay can cause painful dental problems in cats. These problems can also lead to other medical conditions in the heart, liver and kidneys.
What do you pay for? Cat dental extraction usually involves:
X-rays
Surgical supplies
Hospitalization
General anesthesia
When Is It Time for Pet Dental Treatment?
Pet owners should look for bad breath in your cat or dog. This is usually a sign of bad oral hygiene and potential gum disease. Just like humans, our pets build plaque and tartar that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Checking your dog’s mouth and cat’s mouth regularly is an important part of being a pet owner.
When you check your pet’s dental health, be sure to check their gum line for any irregularities. If something smells, looks different, or seems to cause your pet pain, your pet might need dental work from a professional.
Is dental care covered by pet insurance?
Overwhelmed by the costs? Pet insurance can help you out. If your dog has an accident or an illness that requires treatment with an extraction, it could be eligible for coverage with a pet health insurance plan.
You could save hundreds (or thousands!) off price tags for eligible conditions and treatments. Check out Spot’s dental insurance page to learn more about dental coverage and get a free quote for your pet.
Insurance for Routine Pet Dental Care
What about help with the bills for routine teeth cleanings? S
Spot’s preventive care option, which can be added to an Accident & Illness plan for a little extra cost each month, include coverage for dental cleanings and other routine care. Spot’s two preventive care plan options, gold and platinum, allot $100 – $150 a year to dental cleanings for dogs or cats.
With preventive care coverage, you don’t have to meet a deductible and there’s no reimbursement percent-you get reimbursed the set amount from your plan each year.
It’s time to take care of those teeth. Learn more about Spot pet insurance accident & illness plan coverage and Preventive Care coverage
Get a quick and easy pet insurance quote!
Dog Dental Extraction Costs
A simple extraction can be as little as $10 to $15. (1) Elevated extractions, which involves elevation of each root, costs more, depending how much work it is to get a tooth out – up to $25 to $35 per tooth. Multiple roots split with a drill can cost up to $100 per tooth.
A three-rooted tooth could cost between $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the root. Teeth like the upper fourth premolar, a three-rooted tooth is three root canals.
Cat Dental Extraction Costs
Seventy percent of cats are affected by a dental disease by the time they’re three years old, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Excessive tartar and plaque or tooth decay can cause painful dental problems in cats. These problems can also lead to other medical conditions in the heart, liver and kidneys.
What do you pay for? Cat dental extraction usually involves:
X-rays
Surgical supplies
Hospitalization
General anesthesia
The costs vary by condition and your location, but can range from $300 to almost $1,300. (2)
Cat Teeth Cleaning Costs
Having your cat’s teeth cleaned can be expensive, but forgoing it can be even more costly to your pocketbook and can hurt your cat if problems go untreated.
Dental cleanings for cats can range from $190 – $40, depending on if they need treatment for a dental disease. (1) Your veterinarian can give you a more individualized estimate.
Pet Insurance that Covers Dental
Overwhelmed by the costs? Pet insurance can help you out. If your dog has an accident or an illness* that requires treatment with an extraction, it could be eligible for coverage with a pet health insurance plan. You could save hundreds (or thousands!) off price tags for eligible conditions and treatments with the right coverage. Dental coverage for eligible conditions and treatments is included as part of our dog insurance and cat insurance coverage.
Insurance for Routine Pet Dental Care
What about help with the bills for routine teeth cleanings? Spot’s preventive care plan options, which can be added to an Accident & Illness Plan, include coverage for dental cleanings and other routine care. Spot’s two preventive care plans, gold and platinum, allot $100 – $150 a year to dental cleanings for dogs or cats.
With preventive care coverage, you don’t have to meet a deductible and there’s no reimbursement percent-you get reimbursed the set amount from your plan.
It’s time to take care of those teeth. Learn more about Spot plan coverage and Spot Preventive Care plans.
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