Dental Implants for Pets? Treatment Options for Furry Friends!

For the past couple decades, dental implants have quickly become the popular option for replacing missing teeth. When someone loses a tooth, they may experience impaired oral function, especially when talking and eating. Similarly, dogs may also have a difficult time eating their food when they don’t have all of their teeth present, possibly compromising their overall health. For this reason, some pet owners may choose to have their dog’s teeth replaced with dental implants.

While the procedure tends to be expensive, dental implants for canines are available! The procedure is very similar to that of humans. It involves inserting a titanium screw into the gums where the dog is missing a tooth. Permanently attached to the implant will lay a ceramic tooth. The implant will look and act just like a real tooth and should not come out unless removed by the veterinarian.

Similar steps are required to complete both a human and a canine dental implant procedure. First, x-rays will determine if the dog has enough jaw bone to support an implant or not. If more bone is required, a bone grafting procedure will be necessary. Once the bone situation is taken care of and the dog’s mouth is healed, the implant process will begin. The vet will first place the implant. Then, in about 3-6 months the body should integrate the screw with the rest of the jaw bone, as if the titanium implant was an actual tooth root. When integration is complete, the ceramic “tooth” will be placed on top of the implant and the canine will be ready to chew as normal!

Due to the fact that canine dental implants are costly, there have not been many reported cases. In the cases that have been performed, dental implants in canines prove to be highly efficient in restoring full chewing function. Also, the possibility of the dog ingesting dental work is small with dental implants compared to dentures or bridges because they are non-removable and permanently integrated with the jaw.

Dental tooth implants are great options for both humans and canines! For information on human dental implant procedures in the Detroit area, please visit www.drnemeth.com.

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The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.