Veterinary Dentistry

Animal Dental Services

Dr. Doug Winter, a board-certified veterinary dentist at VESH, offers advanced dentistry services to ensure the optimal oral health of your pet.

Dental disease is the most common health issue affecting pets today, with over 85% of dogs and cats older than two years suffering from periodontal disease. This condition results from plaque and tartar buildup around the gum line and can lead to severe health problems if left untreated.

Conditions Requiring Advanced Dentistry & Oral Surgery:

Oral Malodor or Inflammation: Severe gingivitis or inflamed oral tissue can indicate serious systemic disease and should never be dismissed as just bad breath.
Malocclusions: Misaligned bites that require correction.

Fractured Teeth: Teeth with exposed pulp need prompt treatment to prevent infection and abscess formation. Procedures like vital pulp capping or root canal therapy can often save these teeth.
Oral Defects: Specialized oral surgery is required for congenital or traumatic defects, including cleft palate repair and closure of oronasal fistulas.

TMJ Abnormalities: Evaluation and treatment of congenital or acquired conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Routine checkups and dental cleaning can help prevent mouth-related health issues such as periodontal diseases, which are common in both dogs and cats. In addition to teeth cleaning, our veterinarians provide the following services:

Dental surgery
Removal of teeth
Gum disease treatment and prevention
Mouth-related genetic defect treatment

Comprehensive Pet Dental Services:

Dental Radiology: Complete assessment for dental disease, oral tumors, fractures, and TMJ evaluation.
Endodontics: Treatment for fractured teeth, pulpitis, pulp exposure, root canals, crown reductions, and tooth abscesses.
Jaw Fracture Repairs: Proper alignment of teeth is crucial for maintaining functionality in jaw fracture repairs, which often involve significant dental disease or trauma.

Neoplasia: Surgical treatment of oral tumors.
Oral Surgery: Expertise in difficult extractions, palate defects, oronasal fistulas, oral tumors, and repositioning of dislocated teeth.
Orthodontics: Correction of malocclusions, use of orthodontic appliances, bite evaluations, and genetic counseling.

Periodontics: Specialized care for periodontal tissues, including scaling, polishing, root planing, mucogingival surgery, and guided tissue and bone regeneration.
Restorations: Advanced restorative procedures, such as cast metal crowns, fillings, esthetic bonding, bridges, and implants.

What to Expect

Dr. Doug Winter of Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Wichita provides advanced dentistry services to maintain and care for your pet's oral health. Dental disease is the No. 1 health condition affecting pets today.

Our veterinarians have a wide array of methods and tools at their disposal to diagnose and treat any mouth-related health issues that may occur in animals. Whether you are visiting us for a routine checkup or a more specific and pressing issue, our staff is here to help. The list below details procedures that we regularly employ to provide comprehensive dental care.

Lab evaluations and blood work: Our team utilizes diagnostic tools to quickly determine the specific health problem that your pet is facing. We also look for any underlying issues that may have been missed by your regular veterinarian.
Dental X-ray imaging: We provide advanced imaging services to accurately assess mouth-related health issues in your pet.
General anesthesia: All animals require anesthesia for routine dental cleaning as well as for more specialized procedures. Our dental team is qualified to safely administer anesthesia to a variety of pets.
Medication: Your pet may require medication to treat ongoing or acute symptoms. Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital can prescribe medications and fill prescriptions to treat your pet.

What is a Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist?

Board-certified veterinary dentists specialize in diagnosing and managing both genetic and acquired oral diseases and conditions. Beyond undergraduate education and four years of veterinary school, these specialists complete 3-4 years of additional training, including an internship and residency in their specialty. This extensive training culminates in a rigorous examination by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). Upon passing, they earn the status of Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (DAVDC).

Board-certified dentists collaborate closely with primary care veterinarians and other specialists to ensure optimal oral health for pets.

Qualified & Compassionate Dental Care

Our Dental Specialist

Our veterinary dentists are highly trained experts in their field. After attending 4 years of veterinary school, our specialists spend up to 6 additional years studying underneath experienced animal dental practitioners. At Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, we are committed to providing the highest level of care possible to you and your pet. To learn more about our expert veterinary dental team, click below.

Our Team