MARCH 2007: SUNNY

Sunny is a 9-year-old spayed female lab mix, presented with a fractured mandibular canine tooth (right lower canine, #404). Physical examination and a preanesthetic blood panel showed a basically healthy dog that had been eliciting signs of discomfort at home (dropping her food, hesitating to eat).

The radiographs taken showed an exposed, enlarged root canal with an open apex and periapical lucency. It was determined that a traumatic injury early in life had occurred as observed by the size of the canal and structure of the tooth, causing death to the vital pulp. The photograph shows a shepherd's hook probe buried in the crown fracture.

The tooth was surgically extracted, Consil bone grafting material was applied, and the mucoperiosteal flap was closed with 4.0 Monocryl. The dog was sent home on antibiotics and a multimodal pain management protocol of Metacam and Tramadol.

Recheck appointments at 1 and 2 weeks showed progressive healing and a significantly more comfortable dog.