Dog tooth question - Answered by Dr. Slome
 

Hi everyone, When Kita (Boxer/Rottweiler) went for her yearly checkup and needles the vet said she had a chipped tooth that didnt need to be tended to right away but to keep an eye on it, now that i know its there it makes me nervous. I want to get it removed this summer. ( one of her tiny front ones) What should i keep an eye out for until i get it removed???

I don't know what too look for in a front tooth, but I know for my dad's dog's broken canines, eventually a sort of canal formed in the middle of the tooth and that leads to the nerve, which means the dog is probably in pain... But since the front ones are so tiny, I don't know if you'll be able to see the little spot in the middle...

I'd say just look for the dog's appetite to slow down and signs of increasing distress..

Thanks Prin, It just seems worn down to me! But then again im no doggie dentist or vet. Im gonna just go ahead and get it removed, it makes me nervous, dont want her in any unneccisary pain. I dont like having tooth aches and im sure Kita gurl wouldnt either.

Are the teeth dirty too? If she goes under for the tooth, you might want to get something else done at the same time if you need something else done soon because anaesthetic is not so great for doggies...

No amazingly Kita has wonderful teeth, very very white! (Kinda jelous bout that lol) She didnt recover from being under anestetic (spelling? just gave up lol) after her spay, she coughed for almost a week after being intubated. im worried this will happen again, I'll be sure to get anything that needs to be done, done when i go in, Thanks again Prin

Shade has had a small chip on her lower front teeth for 7 years. It is very small, 1 mm, but I have never had an issue with it. She has had regular dental cleanings, and even a few extractions over the years, and the tooth has never broken any further, or exposed a nerve, or given her any trouble. I'm not sure how large of a chip your dogs tooth has, but vets USUALLY would tell you to have it removed if it needed to be removed. I hope this helps.

Chipped teeth are very common in dogs and are usually traumatic in origin – some dogs eat bones, sticks or stones that cause the teeth to chip, while others just rough play or bang the teeth on something causing them to chip.

The big question on what to do hinges on whether the chip or fracture has gone through the root or not. If it has, then either endodontic treatment (root canal like us) can be performed or the tooth can be extracted – dental euthanasia! Essentially treatment is aimed at preventing pain and infection. If the chip or fracture does not involve the root then you can either opt to leave it, reshape and/or remodel the tooth or help restore the tooth to its original tooth appearance – use enamel resin or through a crown (costly).

I would rec. you find a veterinarian that is more experienced in advanced dental procedures or ask your veterinarian to refer you to a dental specialist if he does not feel comfortable handling this situation. The determining diagnostic procedure is a dental x-ray to help determine if the chip has involved the root or not and also to look for obvious colour change or looseness of the tooth. Do not automatically assume the extraction will always be necessary.

I am personally confronted with many dental fractures or chips or advanced periodontal disease in my hospital.

Hope this helps,

Martin Slome DVM

Centre Street Animal Hospital
7700 Bathurst Street Units 40-42
Thornhill, Ont.
L4J 7Y3
Tel. (905) 771-9855