The fine art of caring! Cat dentist-Dog dentist-Providing dental services, oral surgery and empathetic communication! Dale J. Kressin DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC
Cats fracture teeth most often as a result of falls. Dogs fracture teeth most often from facial trauma or from chewing hard objects. The most common fractured tooth is the upper canine teeth in cats.
Can fractured teeth be saved?
Fractured teeth as a result of trauma can often be saved. Root canal therapy is the best option for saving fractured teeth.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure. It is the treatment the internal aspect of the tooth called the root canal.
Root canal therapy of the left upper canine tooth in a cat!
This left upper canine tooth had been fractured for approximately two years. The owners recently noticed behavioral changes. This tooth is ankylosed and very difficult to remove.
Root canal therapy was a logical treatment option. A less invasive procedure and easier for the cat! An initial endodontic file is used to evaluate the root canal.
Endodontic files are used to remove infected pulp. Irrigants are used to cleanse and to disinfect the root canal system.
The root canal therapy involves filling the decontaminated root canal system using materials that are not conducive to bacterial infection. Notice the tooth is restored to keep bacteria out of the root canal system!
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