Why Does My Dog Need Teeth Removed During a Dental?

Being told that your dog needs teeth extracted can be confronting.

You may have booked a dental expecting a simple scale and polish, only to receive a call saying that your dog has diseased teeth that need to be removed.

The obvious question is:

"Can't you just clean them?"

Sometimes the answer is yes.

But when a tooth is badly damaged, infected, loose or no longer supported properly by the surrounding bone, leaving it in place can mean leaving your dog with a painful source of disease.

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Why Can't a Diseased Tooth Just Be Cleaned?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about veterinary dentistry.

A scale and polish removes plaque and calculus from the tooth surface.

It does not repair a tooth that has:

• severe periodontal disease

• a fractured crown

• an infected root

• significant bone loss

• advanced mobility

• other structural damage

Think of it this way:

Cleaning a diseased tooth does not necessarily make the tooth healthy again.

If the supporting structures have been destroyed or the tooth is infected, removing the tooth may be the most appropriate way to eliminate the source of pain and infection.

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What Dental Problems Can Require an Extraction?

1. Advanced periodontal disease

Periodontal disease damages the tissues and bone supporting the tooth.

As the disease progresses, the tooth can become increasingly loose.

Eventually, there may not be enough healthy supporting tissue for the tooth to remain functional.

2. Fractured teeth

Dogs can fracture teeth from chewing hard objects, trauma or other causes.

Some fractures expose the sensitive pulp inside the tooth.

A fractured tooth can therefore be painful even if your dog continues eating normally.

Depending on the tooth and the type of fracture, treatment may involve extraction or, in selected cases, a procedure designed to preserve the tooth.

3. Infected teeth

An infected tooth can develop infection within the tooth or around its root.

Your dog may not show obvious signs of pain.

This is one reason dental X-rays are so valuable: problems around the roots may not be visible simply by looking at the tooth in the mouth.

4. Severely loose teeth

A tooth that has lost substantial periodontal support may have little chance of remaining functional.

Trying to preserve a severely compromised tooth can leave your dog with ongoing discomfort and disease.

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Why Do Dental X-Rays Sometimes Change the Treatment Plan?

This is important if you've received a dental estimate.

Your dog's teeth can look surprisingly reasonable above the gumline while significant disease is present underneath.

Dental X-rays allow the veterinary team to assess structures such as:

• tooth roots

• surrounding bone

• periodontal support

• root abnormalities

• retained roots

• fractures

• hidden infection

The Australian Veterinary Association's guidelines recommend intra-oral radiographs as part of comprehensive dental assessment in dogs and cats.

This is why your veterinarian may not be able to tell you exactly how many teeth will need extraction before your dog is anaesthetised and dental X-rays have been taken.

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Why Does the Cost Increase When Teeth Need Removing?

A straightforward scale and polish is relatively simple compared with surgical tooth extraction.

An extraction may involve:

• additional dental X-rays

• local anaesthetic nerve blocks

• surgical access to the tooth

• sectioning a multi-rooted tooth

• removing individual roots

• suturing the gum

• additional pain relief

• additional anaesthetic time

The complexity varies considerably between teeth.

A loose small tooth may be relatively straightforward to remove.

A large multi-rooted tooth with significant surrounding bone loss can require considerably more time and surgical work.

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Does Every Dog Need Extractions?

No.

Some dogs have dental disease that can be managed with professional cleaning and polishing alone.

Others have one or two teeth that need removing.

Some dogs with advanced periodontal disease may require multiple extractions.

The number of teeth requiring treatment cannot always be predicted accurately until the mouth has been examined under anaesthesia and dental X-rays have been assessed.

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Will My Dog Be Able to Eat Without the Tooth?

In most cases, dogs adapt remarkably well after dental extractions.

Dogs don't need every tooth to eat their food.

In fact, removing a painful or severely diseased tooth can make a dog more comfortable, even though they have fewer teeth afterwards.

Your veterinarian will give you specific dietary and pain-management instructions following the procedure.

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What Happens During a Dog Tooth Extraction?

The exact procedure depends on which tooth is being removed.

Generally, the veterinary team will:

1. Examine and chart the teeth.

2. Take dental X-rays.

3. Identify teeth requiring treatment.

4. Provide appropriate anaesthesia and pain relief.

5. Use dental instruments to remove the affected tooth.

6. Take additional X-rays where appropriate to confirm removal of diseased roots.

7. Close the gum where required.

8. Recover your dog from anaesthesia.

9. Provide post-operative pain management and instructions.

For some teeth, extraction is a relatively simple procedure.

For others, surgical extraction is required.

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Is Tooth Extraction Painful for Dogs?

The purpose of treatment is to remove a source of pain, not create ongoing pain.

Dogs receive anaesthesia during the procedure as well as appropriate pain management.

Depending on the extraction and your dog's condition, your veterinarian may also use local anaesthetic nerve blocks and prescribe medication for the recovery period.

Many owners are surprised by how much brighter and more comfortable their dog seems after severely diseased teeth have been removed.

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What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery depends on how many teeth were removed and how complicated the procedure was.

Your veterinarian may recommend:

• softer food temporarily

• avoiding hard chews

• prescribed pain relief

• monitoring the mouth

• restricting certain activities for a short period

• a post-operative check

Follow the individual instructions provided by your veterinary team because recovery recommendations can vary depending on the procedure.

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What If My Dog Needs Lots of Teeth Removed?

It can sound alarming when you're told that several teeth need to come out.

But the number of teeth is not necessarily the best measure of how well your dog will cope.

Dogs can function very well with fewer teeth.

The more important question is:

How much painful or diseased tissue can we remove while leaving your dog with a comfortable, healthy mouth?

In some dogs with severe dental disease, multiple extractions can result in a dramatic improvement in comfort and quality of life.

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How Much Do Dog Dental Extractions Cost?

There isn't one fixed price because the complexity varies enormously.

The cost can depend on:

• which teeth require extraction

• how many teeth are involved

• whether the teeth have multiple roots

• how much bone has been lost

• whether surgical extraction is required

• anaesthetic time

• dental X-rays

• pain relief

• post-operative medication

This is why a veterinary clinic may be able to give you a starting dental price but not promise the exact final cost of extractions before your dog's mouth has been properly assessed.

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Our Dog Dental Pricing

At Fortitude Valley Vet, our dog dental package currently starts from $540 and includes general anaesthesia, continuous monitoring, IV fluids, ultrasonic scale and polish above and below the gumline, dental X-rays and pain relief.

Extractions are not included in the starting price. If we discover teeth that require removal, we contact you, explain what we've found and discuss the additional cost before proceeding.

This means you can see the starting cost and understand what is included before booking, rather than simply receiving a low headline price and discovering later that essential components have been added separately.

See our current dental pricing: Fortitude Valley Vet's Affordable Dog & Cat Dental Care pricing page.

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Can I Prevent My Dog From Needing Extractions?

Sometimes dental disease can be slowed or prevented from becoming severe with good home care.

Helpful measures include:

• daily tooth brushing

• appropriate dental products

• regular veterinary dental examinations

• treating dental disease early

• avoiding inappropriate hard objects that can fracture teeth

However, once a tooth has significant structural damage or advanced periodontal disease, home dental care cannot restore the lost tooth support.

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From Dr Nic's Consult Room

One of the hardest things for owners to hear is that their dog needs teeth removed when the dog is still eating normally.

Dogs are incredibly good at hiding dental pain.

I've seen dogs with surprisingly advanced dental disease who are still happily eating their dinner every night. That doesn't necessarily mean their mouth is comfortable.

When I explain dental extractions to owners, I often remind them that the goal isn't to give their dog fewer teeth. The goal is to give them a healthier, pain-free mouth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog need teeth removed?

A tooth may need extraction if it is severely affected by periodontal disease, fractured, infected, loose or otherwise unable to remain healthy and functional.

Can a dog's bad tooth be saved instead of removed?

Sometimes. The appropriate treatment depends on the tooth, the type and severity of disease, and what is seen on dental X-rays. Some teeth may be candidates for advanced dental treatment rather than extraction.

How many teeth can a dog have removed?

There is no single number that applies to every dog. Some dogs need one extraction, while others with advanced dental disease may require many.

Will my dog be okay after losing teeth?

Most dogs adapt very well to having teeth removed. Removing painful or severely diseased teeth can significantly improve comfort.

Why can't my vet tell me exactly how many teeth need removing beforehand?

The full extent of dental disease may not be visible until your dog is anaesthetised and the teeth have been examined and X-rayed.

Does extracting teeth hurt my dog?

The procedure itself is performed under anaesthesia with appropriate pain management. Your veterinary team will also provide pain relief during recovery as needed.

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Related Dog Dental Articles

• Dog Dental Cost Brisbane: How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?

• Why Is Dog Dental So Expensive?

• Is Anaesthesia Safe for Dog Dental Cleaning?

• How Often Should Dogs Have Their Teeth Cleaned?

• Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?

• What Are the Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs?

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Does Your Dog Need a Dental?

If your dog has bad breath, visible tartar, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, difficulty chewing or other signs of dental disease, a dental assessment can determine how advanced the problem is and what treatment may be appropriate.

Early assessment can sometimes mean simpler treatment—and fewer painful teeth needing extraction.

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Reviewed by Dr Nic Cher, BVMS
Principal Veterinarian | Fortitude Valley Vet

Dr Nic Cher is a Brisbane veterinarian with over 15 years of experience caring for dogs and cats. He has a special interest in preventive healthcare, pet dentistry, pet longevity and helping owners make informed, evidence-based decisions to keep their pets healthier for longer.

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