Interesting Cases

A Fractured Tooth

In our pets most tooth fractures expose the pulp. The pulp is the living tissue inside of the tooth (consisting of blood vessels, nerves and soft tissue). The exposed pulp will become inflamed, die and eventually infected. Bacteria from the mouth will travel to the root and form an abscess. Infections can cause localized swelling of the face, sinus infections and the infection may spread to other parts of the body (heart, kidneys, and liver).

Root canal therapy is a procedure that involves removing the diseased pulp tissue to remove infection and pain. This will allow the pet to retain the use of the tooth. First the tooth is X-rayed to determine if an infection exists and to assess the root and pulp canal.

Then a series of files are used to clean and shape the canal. Throughout this procedure dental X-rays are taken to make sure the treatment will be a success.

Once the canal is cleaned, disinfected and dried a root sealer/cement is placed in the canal and the canal is filled with an inert packing material. We use a heated packing material called Successfil.

After the canal has been filled and X- rays indicate there are no voids the crown (visible part of tooth) is restored. Restoration of the access hole seals the pulp chamber from the bacteria in the mouth. First a glass-isonomer cement is used as an intermediate layer. Then a final layer of a composite resin is used.

The advantage of a root canal procedure is that the pet retains the use of the tooth. Depending on a dog or cat's lifestyle, age, and oral health we recommend root canal therapy for many damaged teeth that are functionally important to the pet.

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