(218) 461-4825
dentistry@mnvds.com

Advanced Oral Surgery

We provide comprehensive care for your pet’s oral health.
We can provide your pets with oral health wellness checks, cleanings, polishings, fillings, tooth repair, extractions, and oral surgery.

How can we help you?
Black wavy line on a white background forming an abstract shape.

Advanced Oral Surgery

We provide comprehensive care for your pet’s oral health.
We can provide your pets with oral health wellness checks, cleanings, polishings, fillings, tooth repair, extractions, and oral surgery.

How can we help you?

Advanced Oral Surgery

Pets can be affected by a variety of oral conditions which may require a dog or cat to have surgery. Here at Minnesota Veterinary Dental Specialists, our specialist is well equipped to perform a wide assortment of veterinary oral surgeries. These include preserving teeth, removing harmful growths, repairing injuries, correcting jaw fractures, removing large oral tumors and much more. Improving your pet’s oral health and overall quality of life is our top priority. We will ensure you are part of every step of the process to ensure the best outcome for your furry family member.

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Conditions Treated with Oral surgery

Extractions of diseased dentition due to periodontal disease

Tooth Extractions

Most tooth extractions require an incision of the gingiva and minimal removal of bone to ensure extraction of the entire tooth. Some teeth require tooth sectioning to ensure full root removal. Care should be taken especially when extracting mandibular canines and first molars, as improper technique can lead to jaw fractures. Surgical extraction sites are sutured closed to prevent complications during the healing process. The sutures dissolve on their own in 2-8 weeks.

Veterinarian showing stitches inside a cat's mouth during dental surgery.
Extractions in a cat
Close-up of a dog's open mouth showing red gums and teeth. A gloved hand is holding the mouth open.
Extractions in a Dog

Jaw Fractures

This is when trauma occurs to one or multiple portions of the jaw which requires treatment.

    • Less invasive options that may be recommended:
      • Tape muzzle
      • Labial button technique
    • More invasive options that may be recommended:
      • Interdental wiring with composite splint
      • Interosseous wiring
      • Maxillary mandibular fixation device
      • Plating
    • Options are based on the type of fracture and creating the best outcome for your pet.
X-ray image showing the skeletal structure of a bird's webbed feet.
Mandibular Symphyseal Separation in a Cat
X-ray image of a bilateral mandibular fracture with wire fixation across the jawbones.
Post intercanine bonding for correction of Symphyseal Separation
X-ray image showing the front view of the nasal cavities and adjacent structures.
Maxillary fracture in a cat
X-ray image showing a dental arch bar and wiring across the lower jaw.
Post intercanine bonding and root canal to fractured tooth for correction of maxillary fracture
A cat's mouth open wide, showing inflamed gums and green discharge. Pink gloves hold the jaw open.
Post bonding over wire for correction of mandibular symphyseal separation and maxillary fracture in a cat

Fractured teeth

While we often try to save fractured teeth, when possible, with root canal therapy, this is sometimes not an option for damaged teeth (especially if the damage goes below the gumline).

A close-up of a dog's open mouth with a gloved hand, showing visible teeth and gums.
Retained root leading to Oronasal fistula
Close-up of an animal's gum with visible stitches after dental surgery.
Post Closure

Oral Masses

No oral mass in the mouth should be ignored. It is important to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. Even benign tumors can become very aggressive and require large oral surgery.

    • Types of procedures offered:
      • Incisional biopsy
      • Excisional biopsy
      • Maxillectomy
      • Mandibulectomy
        • rim
        • Segmental
        • Near subtotal
      • The goal of oral tumor removal is clean surgical margins for best outcome surgically for your pet.
A veterinarian examines a dog's mouth with a large, swollen growth on the gum, using gloved hands in a clinical setting.
Large benign mandibular tumor Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma    
Close-up of a removed human jawbone with attached teeth and surrounding tissue, placed on a blue surgical cloth.
Post Subtotal Mandibulectomy
A veterinarian examines a dog's mouth, showing red gums and sharp teeth. The dog's tongue is extended, and a tube is visible inside the mouth.
Post Closure after mandibulectomy

Oral Cyst Removal

Surgical Procedures

Our specialist utilizes the most advanced veterinary dental technology and techniques to perform surgical procedures. Other procedures which may require surgery include:

Extractions of diseased dentition due to periodontal disease

Oral Foreign Body Removal

Close-up of a dog's open mouth showing teeth and a piece of wood stuck between them.
Stick oral foreign body
Close-up of a veterinarian's gloved hand examining a dog's open mouth, showing teeth and gums with visible blood and tissue.
Post flap to expose and remove oral foreign body
Close-up of a dog's open mouth being examined; visible teeth and gums, with a gloved hand holding the mouth open.
Post closure and after removal of oral foreign body

Palatal Defect Repair

Mandibular Lip Avulsion

A cat under anesthesia with its mouth open, tongue out, and breathing tube inserted. The cat is lying on a towel.
Lip avulsion in a kitten
Close-up of a sedated cat with its mouth open, showing a breathing tube inserted. The cat's tongue is visible, and it is lying on a towel.
Post Repair
A ginger cat sits next to a laptop on a desk.
Post 2-week repair

Call (218) 461-4825 or book online to schedule your pet’s advanced dental appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Advanced Oral Surgery

  • Your pet may have mild oral discharge for 3-5 days dependent on the type of oral surgery performed
  • Sutures that are placed within the mouth are dissolvable and will normally dissolve within 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Your pet will need to be on a wet diet or softened diet for 10-14 days
  • An endotracheal tube is always placed during surgery to deliver gas anesthetic agents, protect the airway from fluid and bacteria, and to allow us to control breathing if needed. The ET tube may cause tracheal irritation, and a cough is not unusual for 1-2 days after intubation. Please call if coughing is severe or does not resolve in 2-3 days.

Although rare, postoperative complications can include the following:

  • Swelling
  • Severe bleeding
  • Infection
  • Dehiscence (opening of the surgical sites). 
  • Anesthetic agents can cause short-term dysphoria, disorientation, whining or howling, incoordination, loss of control of bladder or bowels.