Dental health in dogs: gum surgery kept 93% of severely damaged teeth

Your dog’s teeth can often be saved, even when gum disease is severe. That is the good news for dental health in dogs from a new study of 67 dogs, where a regenerative gum surgery kept 93% of treated teeth in place after up to two years.

For a long time, a tooth with serious bone loss around it was usually pulled. This surgery takes a different path. It helps rebuild the support that holds the tooth in the jaw, so your dog can keep the tooth.

How the study worked

Vets reviewed the records of 67 dogs with severe gum disease, covering 129 treated teeth or sites. The results appeared Sept. 29, 2026, in Veterinarni Medicina. The study looked back at past cases, had no comparison group, and not every dog came back for every checkup, so fewer dogs were measured at the later visits.

What is guided tissue regeneration?

It is a gum surgery that helps the body regrow some of the tissue around a tooth. The vet places a regenerative material in the damaged area. It is either a gel-like product made from tooth-forming proteins (an enamel matrix derivative) or a bone graft made from cattle. The vet then covers it with a thin collagen membrane. The choice depends on what each tooth needs.

What they found

The vets checked how deep the gum pockets were, how firmly the gum was attached to the tooth, how big the bone defect looked on X-rays, and whether the tooth was still there. Every one of those measures improved significantly after surgery.

The tooth survival numbers are the headline. At 3 to 5 months, 98.45% of treated teeth were still in place. At 6 to 8 months it was 97.67%, at 10 to 13 months 96.12%, and at 18 to 24 months 93.02%.

In plain words, nearly all of these teeth were still there months later, and about 93% were still there at the two-year mark. These were teeth with severe damage, the kind that often end up extracted.

Why a saved tooth matters

A tooth that stays put keeps doing its job. Your dog can keep chewing with the teeth nature gave them. The authors conclude that this surgery is a tooth-preserving option for selected dogs with severe gum defects.

What you can do today

The best news is that you can start tonight, with no equipment. Gently lift your dog’s lip and look at the gums and the back teeth. Red gums or brown buildup are your cue to call your vet’s office and book a dental check this week. If a tooth is already in trouble, ask whether a veterinary dentist can tell you if saving it is possible. For the days ahead, brushing with pet toothpaste, regular dental checks and professional cleanings keep teeth in the best shape. Watch too for bad breath, drooling or trouble chewing.