19 Jul What Should You Do If Your Dog Chips a Tooth?
When your dog chips a tooth, the first step is to consult your veterinarian. The type of tooth chip, more accurately termed “fracture,” will be diagnosed by the doctor, who will then recommend the necessary steps to ensure your dog’s health and comfort. It’s important to remember that dogs are adept at hiding tooth pain, even in cases of extensive infection and bone inflammation. Your empathy and care are crucial in this situation.
Diagnosing and Imaging
Tooth fractures require an anesthetized exam and dental imaging to accurately define the extent of the damage and internal tooth health (vitality). Several different treatment options exist for broken teeth, several of which will be discussed further in this article. Treatment options depend on the tooth type, the fracture pattern, the chronicity of the tooth damage, and, very importantly, the depth of the fracture.
Tooth Anatomy and Fracture Depth
A brief review of tooth anatomy will help clarify why the depth of the fracture is so important when determining the best course of treatment. The outermost layer of the visible tooth (i.e., the crown) is the enamel. This layer of tissue acts as an impenetrable glass. Unfortunately, in dogs, enamel is incredibly thin and brittle. This means that even the most superficial chips in dog teeth typically damage and go through this ‘shield.’ The next layers of tissue in the tooth are the dentin and the pulp, both of which are associated with the tooth’s nerves. When nerves become exposed, this is a very painful process. Thus, tooth fractures are almost always painful, even though your dog can be completely stoic. It’s important to understand the urgency of addressing tooth fractures in dogs, as they can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Treatment Options
In the most superficial fractures only involving enamel, applications of bonded dentinal sealants or restoratives by a veterinary dentist can protect a tooth while it seals itself permanently. This procedure can only be done if an accompanying dental x-ray or cone beam CT scan is performed to confirm that the internal contents of the tooth are alive and uninfected. 6 to 12-month follow-up dental imaging is recommended to verify the formation of a protective dentin barrier and confirm ongoing internal tooth health.
With more extensive dental fractures, if the inner pulp and nerves are directly exposed, pain and infection will always develop. Unfortunately, even the cleanest mouth has bacteria. Bacteria take advantage of the fracture opening and invade the tooth. With time, the inner tooth tissues die, become infected, and eventually lead to tooth root abscess formation. Depending on where the infection is located, there could be draining tracts, jawbone weakening, facial swelling, eye problems, chronic nasal discharge, and more.
For deeper fractures, either root canal treatment or extraction must be performed. Which treatment is chosen depends on the expertise of the veterinarian. Board-certified veterinary dentists specialize in endodontics, meaning that they excel in performing root canals when applicable. Other factors when determining if a tooth can be saved with a root canal are the type of tooth, the shape of the fracture, and the extent of the underlying infection if the fracture is chronic.
Both extraction and root canal eliminate pain and infection. Extraction is the removal of the complete tooth structure to eliminate the disease. In contrast, root canal treatment only removes the inner pulp tissues, where the pain and infection are located. Root canal treatment allows tooth retention and avoidance of oral surgery. Root canal treatment is the preferred treatment for functionally very important teeth (e.g., canine teeth and large premolars and molars). Treatment success is very good for candidate teeth, at about a 96% success rate for the pet’s life. Teeth that receive root canal therapy should be rechecked with dental imaging ~12 months after the initial procedure to evaluate for success. For more information on root canal therapy, please visit http://www.dentistvet.com/root-canal-therapy.html
Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist in Denver
If your dog has chipped a tooth, don’t wait. Contact your veterinarian immediately to ensure your pet receives the best possible care. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent pain and complications, ensuring your pup stays happy and healthy. Give Apex Veterinary Specialists a call today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/19/2024). Photo by Lucas de Moura on Unsplash