Tooth problems 

Periodontal disease

There are 4 stages of dental disease in dogs, cats and ferrets.  All of the stages start with the adherence of bacteria to the teeth.  As the bacteria grow together they start to form a film called plaque.  Then calcium comes along and hardens the plaque into tartar.  Bacteria are still growing and thriving in this environment.  Stage 1 is the least severe with some tartar formation, early gingivitis or gum inflamation.  As the disease progresses the tartar and gingivitis becomes more prevalent and infection of the bone begins.  Once the bone is infected it starts to be destroyed by the bacteria and eventually movement of teeth and tooth loss occurs.  This process doesn't happen overnight so once a tooth is mobile it has been diseased and painful for a long time.

Fractured and Worn Teeth

Fractured and worn teeth may be very painful to your pet.  The root of the tooth contains nerves that have the same connections as those in humans.  Have you ever had a toothache, open root or fractured tooth?  Ouch!!  All fractured teeth, worn teeth or abnormal gum tissue/swelling should be radiographed (x-rayed) to determine if there is involvement of the root.  Many of these teeth are already abscessed and need to be treated.  Treatment may include antibiotics, pulse therapy antibiotics, restoratives, extraction, root canal therapy, periodontal flaps, periodontal gels, products to promote new bone growth or follow up radiographs on a regular basis.  The therapy your pet needs will be determined at the time of dental surgery after a complete dental exam under anesthesia and initial high quality dental x-rays.  

Treatment

 There are two types of treatment for this condition.  The first is the extraction of the tooth.  Most dogs and cats will tolerate this procedure very well and it removes the source of pain and infection.  However, when a tooth is extracted the function of the tooth is lost.  The upper fourth premolars and lower first molar,  also known as carnassial teeth, are major chewing teeth.  In addition, there is a cosmetic factor.  Some teeth, the lower canines for example, act as a guide for the tongue.  Loss of this guide may cause the tongue to handg out the side of the mouth and opens up the potential for the patient to be chronically biting the tongue.  

The second type of treatment is endodontic (root canal) therapy. 

If there is just a fracture of the enamel, a restorative may be an option as well.

Root Canal Therapy  

Instead of removing all teeth that are badly disease, veterinarians prefer to use all the modern techniques available to save your pet?s teeth.  Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is one such technique that can save teeth that would otherwise have to be extracted.   

The root canal is a canal that runs in the center of the root of every tooth.  It can be damaged by fracture of the tooth, a blow to the tooth, cavities, heat or strangulation of the vessels that feed the tooth.  The root canal, or pulp, consists of blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and connective tissue.  If the pulp of a tooth dies, the pulp cavity becomes a perfect environment for bacteria.  

Several months after the death of the pulp and invasion of bacteria, the bacteria can enter into the bone around the tooth socket.  This can set up a painful abscess, and eventual resorption of the root.  

There are basically five steps to root canal therapy.  First, the condition of the teeth is ascertained though dental exploration and x-rays.  Second, access to the pulp chamber is made.  Third, the canal is cleaned using special instruments to remove the dead tissue from the canal.  Fourth, the canal is sealed with a surface restorative sealer.  After treatment it is recommended that a radiograph (x-ray) be taken of the treated tooth in 6 months to make sure the procedure was successful.