Fractured teeth: how to assess them and treatment options for saving them

Authors: Forsayeth A
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Dental, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Broken teeth are not an uncommon finding when examining a dog or cat. Often these broken teeth are discovered during a routine veterinary examination such as at vaccination. Fractures occur due to trauma, and may be facilitated by underlying disease in some cases. The trauma be from an extrinsic force such as a motor vehicle or a cricket bat, or may be from intrinsic forces such as mastication or pulling with the teeth. They are infrequently the primary reason an animal is brought in for examination. Why is this? Generally the animals which have broken teeth display few, if any, clinical signs. Does this mean that a broken tooth is nothing to worry about? – Certainly not. Broken teeth can be a problem, and they are an issue that must be dealt with.

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