Root Canals - A way to save your pet's broken teeth

Dr Banyard has taken advanced training and has spent many hours studying veterinary dentistry with her mentor, Dr Matson, who is a  Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dentistry. She is now now offering root canal therapy to patients. She is accepting referrals from veterinarians.

When is a Root Canal needed?

Root canals are needed when the crown of a tooth is fractured or worn resulting in the infection or inflammation of the pulp cavity of the tooth. 

Over time the pulp of the tooth will die. During the time of infection or inflammation the tooth is painful. Many owners do not realize that there is pain because the pet will still eat. However it is like having a headache or a painful joint in people where the pain is something we can still cover up. People often do not like to show that they are in pain and in public will cover it up. They will smile and go about their daily business and no-one would know their discomfort. However when the pain is excruciating they are no longer able to cover this pain up and then they will go to bed. Animals are the same way. With painful teeth they will chew on the other side. Often they will not chew and swallow food. Sometimes they will drool a lot or be less active and sleep more, does not want to play with toys he or she used to love. They can even seem to be arthritic. 

In some cases the pulp is inflammed and very sensitive. Over time the pulp will become more and more infected and the nerves will die off. Over a long period of time the entire pulp cavity will become non vital (dead) and the patient may have no feeling in the tooth itself however the infection continues into the tissues around the root of the tooth and causes bone loss in the surrounding tissues.

In many cases it is only after a root canal has been performed that the owner truly realizes the discomfort their pet have been experiencing. The drooling stops, the pet is more active, eats more and gains weight. 

What is a Root Canal?

Root canals are highly technical procedures requiring extensive training, knowledge of materials and experience in order to be successful. These are long procedures which are done under anesthetic. Intraoperative radiographs are taken throughout the procedure to ensure that the procedure is proceeding correctly. To make sure that the root canal continues to be successful, the tooth must be rechecked under anesthetic in 6 months, in 12 months and annually thereafter.

Which teeth should be treated with root canal therapy?

Usually the strategic teeth - the canines and the carnassial teeth are treated. These are the biggest teeth and help maintain the shape of the face. They have very large roots and if these teeth are extracted there is some loss of bone and shape of the face.  Other teeth can also be saved.

Can All Fractured Teeth be saved?

The decision to treat a tooth requires a full physical exam and an awake oral exam. This is to make sure anesthetia is safe and to examine the tooth in question. The tooth is radiographed under anesthetic. This allows the surgeon to decide if the tooth is salvagable and what method of root canal therapy to perform. If the tooth has had infection around the root for long enough the root may become resorbed. Depending of how extensive this is and where the resorption is the tooth may be treated with surgical root canal therapy or if the root has extensive root resorption, the tooth may need to be extracted (taken out).

How can the tooth be protected after root canal therapy?

A crown can be placed on the tooth after a root canal is performed. See Crowns 

Last updated 8/27/2009