Oral Surgery

Our Hospital is proud to have three board-certified veterinary dentists and oral surgeons dedicated to providing advanced, specialty-level care for pets with oral tumors. The diagnosis of oral tumors requires a comprehensive and methodical approach that goes beyond a routine oral exam. Accurate diagnosis begins with detailed imaging, including full-mouth dental radiographs (dental x-rays) to evaluate tooth and bone involvement, as well as advanced imaging with cone beam CT to assess the true extent of the mass within surrounding bone and soft tissues. An incisional biopsy is then performed to determine the exact tumor type. We are sending our samples to a pathologist specialized in reading and interpreting oral pathology samples. A close collaboration with the primary care veterinarian is crucial in staging a tumor. This may include regional lymph node evaluation and thoracic imaging—performed to assess for metastasis and guide treatment planning.

The first line of treatment for most oral tumors is surgical removal, with the extent of surgical margins carefully determined based on the specific tumor type, biologic behavior, and imaging findings. Specialty-level surgical management may involve advanced oral and maxillofacial techniques to achieve appropriate margins while preserving function and quality of life whenever possible. Our team’s advanced training allows for precise pre-surgical planning using CT data, meticulous surgical technique, and coordinated anesthetic care. In some cases, adjunctive therapies such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted treatments may be recommended as part of a multimodal treatment plan. This comprehensive, evidence-based approach helps ensure the highest standard of care and optimizes outcomes for pets diagnosed with oral tumors.