In cases of broken teeth, immediate attention is crucial. A tooth that has sustained damage within the last 48 hours can potentially be salvaged through a procedure known as a “Vital Pulpotomy.” However, after this critical time window, the available treatment options typically involve either root canal therapy or extraction. Given the significant reliance our pets have on their teeth, preserving them whenever feasible is a preferable and less painful option, with root canal therapy serving as a viable means to save the affected tooth. Neglecting to address a broken tooth with exposed pulp can lead to prolonged oral discomfort and the development of tooth root abscesses, which can exacerbate the pet’s pain and discomfort.
Furthermore, a discolored tooth often signals the presence of a non-vital (dead) tooth, with studies suggesting that as much as 92% of discolored teeth fall into this category. In such cases, saving these teeth through root canal therapy is strongly recommended, particularly for strategic teeth such as the canine teeth, maxillary fourth premolars, and mandibular first molar teeth. As a protective measure, the application of a crown restoration on a root canaled tooth is typically advised, as this can safeguard the tooth from further damage and help maintain the structural integrity of the treated tooth.