Myth #6: Dentistry is too expensive.

Basis for Myth: Human dentists can perform ‘prophies’ for under $100. Yes, many invoices are large due to the presence of advanced periodontal decay, but most clients would tell you they felt the service was worth every penny when they see how much younger their pets act following treatment. It is not uncommon for advanced procedures to run two to three hours under general anesthesia.

The Truth: With regular home dental care, a true prophylaxis procedure can be performed in about 45 minutes for about $200 - $300, even with general anesthesia. This does not including pre-anesthetic screening or IV fluids, dental radiographs (x-rays) or extractions. However, 75% of pets over the age of 2 years have at least one undetected painful condition in their mouths that need additional attention. If during that ‘routine prophy’, an unexpected problem (such as a deep periodontal pocket or chipped tooth) is detected, it can be diagnosed and treated at the same time, thus maximizing the therapeutic benefit to the pet and eliminating the need for a later referral with a second anesthetic. This is value for your money, which your pets will appreciate.

Which is more costly: timely therapy or untreated painful infections that lead to irreversible oral decay and damaged internal organs?