Having a dog that loves to chew certainly helps to keep teeth healthy - usually. However, hard bones, antlers and cow hooves can cause dental injuries - so choose your dog's chew toys wisely and do not allow him to gnaw on rocks or other hard objects. What is a slab fracture?
How is a slab fracture treated?
The carnassial tooth has three roots: two large ones above each point, and a third, smaller one that is directed at an angle towards the midline. An incision is made on the gumline above the tooth to protect the gingiva and allow enough loose tissue to close the extraction site. To minimize trauma and prevent the small, inside root from breaking during removal, Dr. Brian uses a high-speed drill to separate the tooth into two halves before extracting each section individually.
How to prevent slab fracturesChewing is a healthy, natural habit for dogs - and we encourage you to provide your pup with a variety of safe chew toys! However, it is important to avoid hard chews: tough bones, deer antlers, cow hooves, and even tough Nylabones.
Always supervise your dogs when they are working on a chew toy, and regularly peek under those lips to look for signs of trouble. If you're familiar with what the teeth look like normally, it will be easier to spot changes that could be a cause for concern! |