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My dog recently chipped her bottom canine. I'm not sure when or how it happened, but I just noticed it this afternoon. I don't see any of the pulp, but is is noticeably flat at the top compared the the other canine.
I'm not sure what the procedure would be for this. Since she's not in any pain or discomfort, my mom thinks I should leave it alone for now since funds are limited. But I'm afraid if I leave it, it could get progressively worse and end up costing more in the long run, maybe even the eventual lose of the entire tooth. Should I get a vet to try and fix it now while it's fresh? How much would it cost to cap it (I live in NYC if that makes any difference), and do they make natural looking caps? Is it true that caps actually make the tooth weaker?
Kona has broken a few teeth over the years, I've never had a vet talk to me about capping them. We had one removed with her last cleaning because it had the potential to get infected at some point. If it's just chipped and doesn't bother her I would let it be. You could call your vet and see what they think just in case.
Ask the vet but if the pulp is clearly not exposed all should be ok. Honestly, I would spend the money to see a vet if there is ANY doubt about the pulp being exposed. Because, if it is, and nothing is done you can run into problems.
If it is, you have some expensive concerns.
Pulling canine teeth is dicey. The roots are very long and the lower canine roots are part of the structure of the jaw so removing it could make the jaw prone to breaking. The uppper canine is tricky to remove as well. Both are done under full anesthesia.
A vital pulpotomy is done if the pulp is exposed and the root is alive - I think it is basically like a drill and fill.
A root canal is done if the tooth is dead-the results are ugly (It is stuffed with black stuff called gutta percha which you can see through the tooth)
A crown is done for people who have the money to shell out (typically for dogs inteded for bitework) A crown does weaken the tooth and the only one that will work on a dog long term is titanium. It will add considerably to the already expensive (ours was about $2000) cost of a root canal. The tooth is weakened after a root canal as well.
ive never met a vet that will cap a PET dogs tooth (seen it done for hugescale dog showers, the cost for an enamal colored match up (has to be done by a specialist vet) with a root canal is often upwards of $8000...
its simply not worht it, if its just chipped at the top and no pulp exposed and shes eating, drinking and not shwing any mouth sensitivity leave it be and check it regularly....
From experience, you should contact your vet for a referal to a dog dentist.
The dog dentist will examin the tooth for several things.
Hairline cracks in the enamal that is not visable to the avarege person. These can usually be filled with some type of expoxy coating.
They will check to see if the missing part has cause a acceptable or unacceptable layer of distance between the surface and the pulp. They know how much loss is acceptable and how much is too much.
They will check the bite to see if the broken part may cause some form of issue with the other teeth gums, tounge or mouth. they will smooth out any rough spots. They also will see if there are any still almost attached broken pieces that need to be removed.
Most times its minor work but if something is hidding that your not experience to see and understand, it can save you money in the long run BUT more important, it can save the pet from unnecessary pain or problems. If some fperson broke a tooth and asked what to do, I would tell them to see a dentist for a professional evaluation - My animals deserve the same.
Pulling canine teeth is dicey. The roots are very long and the lower canine roots are part of the structure of the jaw so removing it could make the jaw prone to breaking. The uppper canine is tricky to remove as well. Both are done under full anesthesia.
My vet told me the exact thing regarding one of my fosters. Her canine was broken all the way up to the gum line. No pain apparently. He manipulated the tooth and gum, and she didn't flinch. One thing about tooth pain... you flinch. So, we did nothing. So vet just said to watch her, look for a change in her eating, chewing, etc.
I had a root canal done on my dogs back tooth. It saved the tooth for the rest of his life and was worth it. I also had a couple of my dogs bottom teeth pulled because they were crooked and making his entire mouth off. But a broken tooth shouldn't cause problems as long as the dog is not in pain. If the tooth is jagged it may need to be filed. But other than that I would just call your vet to see what they say.
Thanks everyone. I'm trying to find a dentist in my area that can look at it. The nearest one to me said he only did cleanings and extractions, so he advised me to see a specialist in CT. Another clinic in Manhattan said they wouldn't have dentist consolations until Jan. 27th.
When my dog broke a tooth on the lower left hand side of front of her mouth, I just had it pulled. She had tooth crowding there anyway so it was the best decision. She's a 9lb Dachshund/Toy Poodle mix. No further issues/ problems from the tooth extraction.
Good luck with your dog.
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