Your veterinarian may offer a full range of dental procedures, from tarter removal to root canals, or may refer you to a veterinarian who specializaes in dental care. Restorative dentistry is becoming more common. Show dogs have been known to have teeth capped and have teeth restraitened with retainers. Such cosmetic procedures are sometimes performed, but I would consider this unethical if the dog is used for breeding. There are even Maltese in the show ring with caps on their teeth, and this is allowed if it can be proven that the dog's tooth was broken and the defect occurred after birth and was not congential.
Complete restoration can involve braces, implants or dental bonding.
Cost is an issue with dental procedures. Part of the high cost is that dogs must be sedated for most of the procedures. Preventing Problems Owners can get their Maltese teeth off to a good start by learning proper techniques for brushing and brushing the teeth regularly, beginning when the dog is a puppy. Puppies are open to new experiences, so they are more likely to accept brushing than older dogs and will continue to do so into their adult lives. To start your Maltese puppy out, rub its teeth and gums with your finger for a few days.