Dental procedures are commonly performed under general anaesthesia and may include scaling and polishing, dental radiography, tooth extraction, and treatment of oral disease. While every precaution is taken to minimise risk, all procedures involving general anaesthesia and surgery carry inherent risks, and complications may occur despite appropriate care and monitoring.

• Temporary reduced appetite, lethargy, or nausea following anaesthesia. 
• Mild discomfort or sensitivity within the mouth. 
• Minor bleeding from the gums or extraction sites. 
• Mild facial swelling or inflammation. 
• Temporary reluctance to eat hard food. 

• Wound infection or delayed healing. 
• Excessive bleeding from extraction sites. 
• Adverse reactions to anaesthetic drugs, pain relief, or other medications. 
• Vomiting or gastrointestinal upset following anaesthesia. 
• Persistent oral discomfort requiring additional medication or treatment. 

• Significant haemorrhage requiring further treatment. 
• Fracture of the jaw, particularly in cats and small breed dogs with severe periodontal disease. 
• Communication between the mouth and nasal cavity (oronasal fistula), especially following upper canine tooth extraction. 
• Damage to adjacent teeth, nerves, or surrounding soft tissues. 
• Retained tooth roots requiring additional procedures. 
• Severe reactions to medications or anaesthetic agents. 
• Cardiac or respiratory complications, including arrest. 
• Death despite appropriate care and monitoring. 

• Changes in eating habits or preference for softer food following multiple extractions. 
• Progressive dental disease requiring future procedures. 
• Recurrence of periodontal disease if appropriate dental care is not maintained. 
• Some teeth that appear healthy externally may require extraction following dental radiography and assessment under anaesthesia. 

Dental disease below the gumline cannot always be fully assessed prior to anaesthesia. Additional procedures, including tooth extractions, may be recommended or deemed necessary once a complete oral examination and dental radiographs have been performed.

Although dental procedures are considered safe and are commonly performed, no surgical or anaesthetic procedure is entirely without risk. Complications are uncommon, and the vast majority of patients recover uneventfully. Every effort is made by the veterinary team to provide safe anaesthesia, effective pain relief, and the highest standard of dental care.