Pet Health
Condition Overview
Broken teeth are common.
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.
Sources
Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook
Publisher: Wiley Publishing, 2007
Website: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Authors: Debra M. Eldredge, Liisa D. Carlson, Delbert G. Carlson, James M. Giffen MD
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