It is very common for dogs and cats to break teeth. Dogs often
damage their teeth whilst chewing on hard objects, catching
sticks or when playing with other dogs. Cats frequently fracture
their canine (fang) teeth when they jump or fall from a height.
Road traffic accidents are another common cause. As vets we
are often asked if it is necessary to treat a fractured tooth. The
answer is almost always YES.
What happens when a tooth breaks?
In most cases when a tooth is fractured the soft pulp in the middle of the tooth becomes exposed. The
pulp contains blood vessels and thousands of nerve fibres. A freshly fractured tooth will therefore bleed
and usually be excruciatingly painful. The pulp becomes inflamed and develops pulpitis. The tooth at this
stage becomes less painful than following initial fracture however bouts of throbbing toothache and
sensitivity are likely to be experienced. Pulpitis and its’ associated pain can persist for months to years. The
tooth will eventually die and bacteria within the tooth may leak out and cause an abscess at the tooth
root. The animal will be in more noticeable pain if this occurs but it may take years to reach this point.
What if the pulp is not exposed?
In most instances this type of fracture is not a problem as the tooth is usually able to self-repair from within.
However bacteria can occasionally enter the tooth through tiny tubules in the exposed dentine and lead
to pulpitis and the same consequences as described above. It is rarely possible to be certain if this is the
case on conscious examination alone and further assessment by x-ray might need to be considered.
How do I know if the pulp is exposed or not?
The exposed inflamed pulp can usually be seen as a red or black spot in the middle of the broken tooth.
This can sometimes be very small (especially in cats) and difficult to see. Sometimes it is only possible to
detect by examining and probing under a general anaesthetic.
What are the signs of toothache in pet dogs and cats?
The signs can be subtle and often go unnoticed. Most animals will carry on eating and behave relatively
normally. When watched carefully however some pets may be grumpy, possibly have become head
shy, spend more time sleeping (cats in particular) or be avoiding harder food especially on the affected
side. Following treatment owners frequently report that their pet is a much happier animal despite not
noticing an obvious change in their behaviour beforehand.
What is the treatment for a fractured tooth?
Extraction will usually be recommended. There is no tooth in a pets’ mouth that is essential and a pet is
much better off without a painful infected tooth than with it. In most cases a surgical extraction will be
required. This involves lifting a flap of gum and removing a small amount of bone to expose the
underlying root(s). The entire tooth can then be removed with minimal risk of complication.
Are there options for treatment other than extraction?
YES. It is often possible to save a fractured tooth with a root canal treatment (RCT). This procedure
involves cleaning out the diseased pulp and filling the tooth. In some cases, particularly fracture of the
lower canine (fang) teeth, it might be considered the treatment of choice. These teeth have a very large
root which occupies the majority of the jaw bone in this region and extraction can in some cases result in
jaw fracture. A root canal treatment is a specialist procedure which requires referral to a veterinary
dental specialist.
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