Does my pet need anesthesia for a teeth cleaning?

Yes, a thorough cleaning below the gumline and dental x-rays require general anesthesia. Awake or anesthesia-free cleanings only address visible tartar and don't catch disease under the gumline.

How do I know if my pet needs a cleaning or an extraction?

You often won't know until the vet examines the teeth under anesthesia and takes x-rays. A routine cleaning can turn into an extraction case on the spot if a tooth is found to be diseased.

How often should dogs and cats get a dental cleaning?

It depends on breed and individual tartar buildup, but many vets recommend evaluating yearly and cleaning every one to two years, more often for small breed dogs prone to dental disease.

Pet teeth cleaning (dental prophylaxis) in Denver

A routine dental cleaning (prophylaxis) is a narrower, more predictable booking than the broader dental category, which also covers extractions, oral tumor removal, and jaw fracture repair. This page is for the owner whose pet just needs tartar removed and a polish under anesthesia, with no known broken teeth or oral disease yet.

Cleanings are done under general anesthesia so the vet can scale below the gumline and take dental x-rays.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is standard practice before a dental cleaning, especially for older pets.
If x-rays reveal a problem tooth during the cleaning, expect the clinic to call you mid-procedure to discuss extraction before they proceed.

This is distinct from a same-day emergency dental issue like a fractured tooth or facial swelling, which falls under urgent dental or emergency care instead.

What it costs

Routine cleanings are priced by anesthesia time, pre-op bloodwork, and whether dental x-rays are included, and cost jumps if the vet finds disease that requires extractions during the same anesthetic event. Ask upfront whether the quote already assumes some extractions or is a best-case cleaning-only estimate.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for veterinary dentistry.

1. Berkeley Animal Hospital
5.0★ · 169 reviews

93
2. Wellshire Animal Hospital
4.9★ · 351 reviews

93
3. Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
5.0★ · 141 reviews

92

See the full ranking → · Browse all providers

FAQ

Does my pet need anesthesia for a teeth cleaning?: Yes, a thorough cleaning below the gumline and dental x-rays require general anesthesia. Awake or anesthesia-free cleanings only address visible tartar and don't catch disease under the gumline.
How do I know if my pet needs a cleaning or an extraction?: You often won't know until the vet examines the teeth under anesthesia and takes x-rays. A routine cleaning can turn into an extraction case on the spot if a tooth is found to be diseased.
How often should dogs and cats get a dental cleaning?: It depends on breed and individual tartar buildup, but many vets recommend evaluating yearly and cleaning every one to two years, more often for small breed dogs prone to dental disease.