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Chipped Molar?

This forum is for dog lovers seeking everyday advice and suggestions on health-related issues. Remember, however, that advice on a public forum simply can't be a substitute for proper medical attention. Only your vet can say assuredly what is best for your dog.

  
Clyde

Ice cubes? YES- PLEASE!		 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 14, '13 8:28am PST 
A few weeks ago, I noticed Clyde has a chipped molar. It didn't really concern me until I noticed there is some pink visible through the enamel where it broke. It looks like it is covered only by a thin layer.
That said, he is not in any apparent pain over it. He is lively and his behavior is exactly the same as when it wasn't chipped. He even prefers to eat and chew on that side. His teeth are in otherwise amazing condition (Almost-white teeth in a 5-year-old dog). They're brushed almost every day and receive at least one crunchy stick every day to get rid of tartar. Hence my knowing.

So my question is this: should I be concerned? Or should I just keep an eye on it and watch for any pain?
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Scooter,- PAWS

Power of the Paw- for those who- need it
 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 14, '13 10:00am PST 
I would keep an eye on it and if you notice any swelling of the face, chewing on the opposite side, anything "off", contact the vet. Otherwise, next time you go for your exam, talk to the vet about it and let them take a peek.
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Toby

137592		 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 14, '13 11:30am PST 
I would recommend keeping an eye on it. From my experience, a dog will let you know when a tooth becomes an issue. Toby started yelping at odd moments two years ago, and then cried out trying to eat. I looked in his mouth and found that he had completely cracked open a molar. He had it removed the next day.

A year ago I was looking at his teeth and found that another molar had a partly come off. A little pink is showing but Toby is in no pain and to this day it has been fine.

I am hoping now that we don't live in the city and can avoid the thousands of chicken bones and other tasty/gross things on the streets that Toby will be able to keep all his current teeth!
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Dude

1196700		 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 14, '13 12:27pm PST 
If you want to save the tooth, you should contact a specialist (sooner the better). Otherwise you can wait until the tooth starts bothering and then get it removed.
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Clyde

Ice cubes? YES- PLEASE!		 
 
Barked: Mon Jan 14, '13 7:50pm PST 
Thanks for the comments! It sounds like I had the right plan in mind after all: just keep an eye out for any pain, but don't panic.

I know those chompers are very important for dogs' welfare, so the last thing I want to do is underreact and let Clyde suffer before I notice anything.
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Maggie,- Tika, &- Porter

Aussie-tastic- Trio		 
 
Barked: Tue Jan 15, '13 4:36pm PST 
I have two dogs missing a premolar each and they do just fine. I felt that the cost of fixing the teeth was not going to be worth it, especially given how well dogs can do without them (Maggie's was pretty much done for breaking out of a crate and Porter came to me with a slab fracture). I still manage to feed raw successfully and mine still have no need of dentals - I just keep an eye on the side with the missing tooth in case plaque builds up.

I have found that when healthy teeth are removed it is an easier recovery than when the tooth becomes infected or the gum seriously irritated. Keep a close eye on it and stay on top of it...a tooth infection can cause the whole dog to feel off (Porter was starting to bite at me for no reason...got the tooth out and the behavior stopped).

I do know people that will opt to save the tooth and it usually works just fine with no lasting issues, just be sure to get in with a good dental vet. I have heard of one that gave a good prognosis for a tooth and it turned out that the tooth was not really savable in the first place (according to another dental vet) and the owner was out $1000+.
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