Broken teeth

Condition Overview

Broken teeth are common.

Symptoms

The tooth will appear broken.

All symptoms +

Causes

They are caused by chewing on hard objects, such as stones and hard bones, by catching the teeth on the wire of kennels and cages, or by trauma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by physical examination.

Treatment

If the fracture involves only the enamel, the tooth is not painful and no treatment is necessary. A break in the crown that extends into the dental pulp can be extremely painful, and the dog may become depressed and refuse to eat. Restorative dentistry or extraction of the tooth will be necessary to prevent an abscessed root. Along with a root canal, a crown may be made to replace the damaged tooth. These can be made of metal or ceramic. This is most commonly done for working dogs such as police dogs. Dogs may not compete in conformation competition with crowned teeth.

Prevention

Prohibit your dog from chewing on solid objects such as rocks, metal, and fencing.

Support

Please contact your veterinarian if you have questions regarding this condition.