dog fractured his canine tooth

[bridge5]

Lurker here looking for anyone who has had experience with dental problems, especially fractured teeth.

We adopted our dog (a 4-year-old lab/husky mix) in January and he's been happily crated in a roomy metal crate while we're gone since we got him. Then last Friday he chewed out of the vertical metal bars in order to get to the latch and open it. (Yup, once he broke the metal bar, he actually opened the latch.)

The metal chewing caused him to break one of his top canine teeth. He fractured off about 1/4 of it, from crown to tip. There's a slight grey area visible, but no red pulp. Our regular vet recommended a wait-and-see if it gets infected (she indicated that it might not and he might be fine) and said that we might have to extract if it becomes infected.

He's eating fine and acting normal, except occasionally he must hit it just right with a ball or toy, b/c he'll suddenly drop the ball and look mystified like "WHAT just happened?!?!" It'd be funny if it weren't a little sad.

So my questions... has anyone had a canine tooth extracted? I understand it's major dental surgery on a dog and there are substantial possible side effects. Or have you had a root canal procedure done to save a tooth?

And if it doesn't become infected, should we still have it treated? Will the exposed nerve die relatively quickly? Or will he continue to be in pain?

Thanks for any help! And if anyone has any suggestions to help me feel comfortable leaving him in his crate again or tips to make sure he doesn't chew again, that would be great.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Cat had a canine tooth removed and had some serious complications. Admittedly, he's a cat, and a senior, so more prone to complications, but honestly ... if I had it to do over again, I'd wait until it was absolutely necessary.

When is he due for his next dental?

[bridge5]

Thanks Mrs.J. He's not due for cleaning until March. I'm seeking a second opinion from a different vet. It's hard to know how much pain he's really in.

[patches31709]

I would get a second opinion, especially since it seems the nerve is exposed. Our dog broke a carnasial tooth chewing on an antler, and had to have it taken out.