How to know if a broken tooth needs repair? - Page 1

My male shepherd (5years old) has a broken canine tooth.  About 1/3 of the bottom of the tooth is missing.  He doesn't seem impacted by it or in pain and it has been broken for at least 2-3 months, possibly longer.  If you look at it there is a small grey dot in the center of the tooth.  I thought it might be a cavity, but was told that it is probably part of the tooth root and that if the dog was not in pain it was probably OK. 

I'm posting this question because I'm getting ready to cancel my USELESS VPI pet insurance that has failed to cover, excluded or pre-excluded about ANYTHING that could go wrong with the dog.  The one thing they do seem to cover well is root cannels.  I'm just wondering how to determine if my dog needs one.  The vet "dentist" in my area charge $150 just for a consult.  I'm wondering how to get a better idea on whether he'll need treatment or not.

-Calvin

If it doesn't hurt and doesn't compromise the work, leave it. I've had canines capped (with root canals) and found the caps tend not to last. UC Davis does a decent job, if you decide to have it done. they have a special amalgam that seems to stay on longer than anything else in bitework. Forget gold caps. They come off in protection and disappear into the grass, never to be found. My Cheetah lost one in the 90 Nationals in Sacramento. I wanted to call out "Stop the trial! Anybody got a metal detector handy?"

;)

Good luck,

shelley

If you have dental insurance it should cover the visit.  My male got a root canal and seal on one of his incisors and had his upper canies crowned (titanium) when he broke them trying to get out of a crate.  His were worn and lower ones have some wear as well, but they were fine until he cracked them on the crate.  Some wear and missing length isn't uncommon.  I would go get it checked out so he doesn't end up with an infection.

Here is a picture of his crown and you can see the wear on the lower canine too.  He has not had a problem with his crowns.

Wow. Totally cool pic. They've doubtless gotten a lot better at this than when I last had it done in the late 80's.

I just hope I never have to have it done again! $$$$ Thanks for sharing!

SS