Tooth Cavity

[MonElite]

Rex broke one of his front teeth few years ago, and he had half of it only. Now I can see a cavity in the tooth. I dont think the tooth is giving him any dramas, he is eating normally, I tapped him on the tooth with no reaction from im. But there is this question in my mind - what if it hurts him?

Should I get the tooth extracted? Will he have to go under anastetic for it to happen? I dont want to subject him to it if there is no need.

Also my dentist (human) has a dog and told me he has fixed his dogs teeth when they needed to be fixed. I guess I can ask him to have a look at it as well, or do you think there is no point. I doubt he will fix my dogs tooth..

[InspectorRex]

I would have a Vet look at it as these types of things can lead to infections such as peridontal disease that it left untreated can have other impacts on the dog's health.

Like with Humans, a broken tooth that is exposed can have an abscess(sp?) form

Best to err on the side of caution

[Greytmate]

Are you talking about the canine tooth?

Extracting those teeth is a big operation. Any extractions have to be done under anaesthetic, but extracting a canine is more difficult than the other teeth.

I wouldn't be in any hurry to have it removed. If the dog is showing any signs of pain or infection, then have the work done.

You will be able to tell if the dog is in pain as it will be favouring on side of the mouth when eating, and will be rubbing its face on things.

You will be able to tell if there is infection by the smell, or by a thin red line along the gum.

By all means see a vet if you are concerned, but be warned, some vets want to extract any broken teeth routinely and others will only do it if it seems neccessary. Some won't do it themselves but will refer you to another vet. Some will give it a go and end up damaging or breaking the dog's jaw.

[MonElite]

no its not a canine, its the front one, the little one right in the middle on the top.

Can see him favouring one sied as its right at the front, he isnt rubbing his face any more than usually (basically he does it when his face is wet or he's got somethign in his eye)

As to a red line Ill have a closer look but he has deep pigmentation (large black spots) inside his mouth and right there he is basically black so its hard to see.

Ill keep a closer look at him and try to give him some food to pull out of my hands, Ill see how he takes that.

[New Age Outlaw]

I would get a referral to a specialist veterinary dentist and get their opinion on the best course of action. A friend of mine's greyhound just had root canal work done on a tooth!

[MonElite]

hehehe - no I dont think Ill be doing a root canal therapy on Rex. If anything it will get pulled out. cant be THAT difficult - he knocked one next to it when he run into a tree chasing his girlfriend. and he broke this one than.

[sas]

I know Epping Vets can now do denistry work similar to humans, such as fillings and caps.

[Nekhbet]

if its just an incisor keep an eye on it. They dont have massive roots so they just tend to tinkle out onto the floor if the time comes. Larger teeth will be needing dental work by a good, experienced vet. Human dentists and vets are two separate things and the way they metablise anaesthetics/medications is different. I wouldnt be letting a dentist touch my dog.

[MonElite]

Divanis breeder was visiting yesterday and got her to have look at Rex's teeth and she said I have nothing to worry about. That the black dot is quite normal in an older dog and althought he broke the tooth earlier in his life this what he has now is more the wear and tear effect.

She said he has got teeth in a fantastic condition for his age.

Edited December 31, 2007 by myszka