If you ignore it and it gets infected it’s emergency dental surgery and will cost even more.

Just start saving, OP. I agree with those saying to look elsewhere, maybe you can plan a weekend getaway this summer and schedule the dental on Friday or Monday.

Dentals are expensive - the dog needs to be sedated and x rays taken and cleaning under the gum line. Those awake tooth cleaning services are useless at best and destructive at worst, if they sand the enamel off the teeth .

If your vet says a molar is ready to fall out, your dog has rotting teeth. That’s painful and an infection can develop. Try checking around for lower prices. Helping Hands definitely is a drive but you could also see if Anicira in Manassas does dentals. They’re lower priced in general and kind of a mass spay and neuter place.

Anonymous wrote:OP: The vet said one of the dog's molars is loose. Said it may fall out on its own but would recommend extracting it as it may be causing pain. I'm worried they will find more loose teeth and it will cost $3K. I don't want the dog in pain but that is alot of money. And she had a cleaning only 2 years ago for 1.5K.

I hear you. But it is part of the cost of pet ownership. You need to do it if you can.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they need cleaning and will cooperate: https://www.dazzling-canines.com

If they need extractions or something else, then they cannot do it.

FYI this is not a real dental cleaning that scales the teeth at the gum line and checks for any periodontal disease, cavities, platform fractures etc.

This is more like a premium grooming procedure that is cosmetic but not medical.

+1

Helping Hands in Richmond.

https://helpinghandsvetva.com/pet-dentistry-richmond-va/

OP: The vet said one of the dog's molars is loose. Said it may fall out on its own but would recommend extracting it as it may be causing pain. I'm worried they will find more loose teeth and it will cost $3K. I don't want the dog in pain but that is alot of money. And she had a cleaning only 2 years ago for 1.5K.

Our dazzling canines gave us a report and shared where our pets teeth were cracked etc. but agree they are not canine dentists. I get the push back. But it’s an option that might work for some people.

Anonymous wrote:If they need cleaning and will cooperate: https://www.dazzling-canines.com

If they need extractions or something else, then they cannot do it.

FYI this is not a real dental cleaning that scales the teeth at the gum line and checks for any periodontal disease, cavities, platform fractures etc.

This is more like a premium grooming procedure that is cosmetic but not medical.

We used dazzling canines. Came to our place and cleaned dogs teeth. Far far less than the $2k to $5k (yes, you read that right) quote from our vet. They did a great job. Can’t extract or do complicated dental. But can and do clean the teeth. Before and after pictures too.

I brush my dogs' teeth and it dramatically extends the time in between cleanings.

If they need cleaning and will cooperate: https://www.dazzling-canines.com

If they need extractions or something else, then they cannot do it.

That estimate sounds right unfortunately. The thing about the pp who mentioned that the only risk is the dog needing teeth extracted later — the dental cleaning is how the vet learns if any of the teeth are diseased enough to need to be extracted. That is why they told you that the price could be more, because when they go in there, they may find that there need to be extractions. You don’t want your dog to be living in pain. Just get the dental done.

Do you have relatives elsewhere who you visit regularly? My friend used to do her dog’s annual shots at home in TX when she would visit family or do the annual free/discounted shots in DC. My dogs grooming is $225 in DC or about $50 in NC near my parents. You could look at somewhere out out in the burbs or maybe Charlottesville or Richmond. I know there is a surgical clinic in Richmond that is more affordable, not sure about dental. I looked at suburban clinics when my dog needed major surgery.
How big is your dog? A portion of the cost is size related - anesthesia.

I declined on this and asked what were the consequences and they said they’d have to pull teeth if any rotted and said “okey dokey”. It’s a dog.

My vet is estimating $2k and said it could be more. In NW DC.