JULY 2007: TANNER

Figure 1 shows an abscessed 604 on Tanner, a 4-month-old Brittany spaniel. You can see that the probe is actually inserted into the fistula associated to the apex of this tooth root. Removal of fractured, infected primary teeth is imperative. Chronic infection can affect the secondary tooth bud formation. It can cause enamel hypoplasia, and other formation with the tooth and bone around it.

When extracting primary teeth, be careful not to damage the secondary tooth bud. Damage can occur from traumatic elevation. Also, consideration must be given and discretion must be used when suturing the gingiva from the extraction. Sometimes, suturing the gingiva can cause scar tissue to form thus making it hard or sometimes impossible for eruption of the secondary tooth to occur.

Figure 2 was taken at 1 year of age. Note that the secondary teeth have erupted normally and the gingiva is healed and quiet.

Do not hesitate to extract fractured primary teeth BEFORE they become infected!