PS. The vet doesn't think he has any exposed pulp or sensitivity right now

That's good news! I mean, if they've got to have a tooth fracture, it's good to hear that it doesn't require an immediate extraction, root canal, or repair. So it sounds like there are at least a few of us here who will be closely watching those slab fractures!

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

On the other hand, I'm definitely disappointed that the nice and not-so-cheap repair didn't last any longer than it did

Was it just the layer that cosmetically makes it look like the other teeth?

I've started asking dentists to not put the fancy cosmetic colored stuff on my own teeth after repairs. It invariably shears off a few weeks after being put there and creates pockets that lead to more cavities. It doesn't seem to bond well to my teeth. I request that they use the slightly off-colored but stronger material for the entire repair and file it smooth with the rest of the tooth. Not as pretty but it's more solid long term. I haven't had any problems with my teeth done without the cosmetic layer.

 Quote: Cathy Goessman

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

On the other hand, I'm definitely disappointed that the nice and not-so-cheap repair didn't last any longer than it did

Was it just the layer that cosmetically makes it look like the other teeth?

I've started asking dentists to not put the fancy cosmetic colored stuff on my own teeth after repairs. It invariably shears off a few weeks after being put there and creates pockets that lead to more cavities. It doesn't seem to bond well to my teeth. I request that they use the slightly off-colored but stronger material for the entire repair and file it smooth with the rest of the tooth. Not as pretty but it's more solid long term. I haven't had any problems with my teeth done without the cosmetic layer.

The way the vet explained it to me, he does the repair in three layers. He seems to feel that part of the repair material is still there, so whether that's one layer, two, not sure. He also said that it is normal, over time, for the outermost layer to wear down (but not in six weeks!).

I'm skeptical that any part of the repair material remains, not because I don't trust the vet (I do), but because the tooth looks to me about the same as it did prior to the repair. I only have one dog with broken teeth, and I've looked in his mouth plenty of times; the vet has seen probably hundreds of dogs since mine and had a good look only on the day he did the procedure.

The vet seemed confident that the tooth as he sees it now is not in any dire need of repair at this time, and he is comfortable just keeping an eye on it, so I guess I will be, too. If it has to be redone at some point, I guess he may do it differently.

Like you, Cathy, I've had several of my own teeth repaired with the composite material, and in my case, I've never had any problem with it, although the ones that were done a decade or so ago are starting to show wear of the outer layer. I guess it's the case with both people and dogs that our teeth have different characteristics and respond to these kinds of procedures differently.

My concern right now, until it's fully diagnosed and "solved", is what to feed him. I'm steering clear of hard things at the moment and going with Honest Kitchen and kibble, but am thinking about going back to raw but keeping the meaty bones to those little game hens. My cats are able to eat those so I don't think they should cause a problem for him. Or I could wait it out...it's only a couple of weeks until we do the xray.

Ya know, I think I'd just wait the additional couple of weeks until you get the x-ray and see just how fragile the tooth may or may not be. The last thing you need is for him to break the tooth further, into the pulp, on a Saturday night. Is grinding the bones an option for you, temporarily?

Tracy raw feeds five dogs and, as he mentioned, has dealt with several fractured teeth, so I'm sure he'll be able to give you a better answer based on his own experiences.

I feed everything ground. So when I've had a dog with a broken or recently-pulled tooth, that wasn't an issue. (But that's not the reason I grind the food.)

I don't think you'd have any problems with chicken backs, they are very soft. Or the game hens. Probably best to stay away from anything harder than that until the tooth is given the okay, or it is pulled.

I would personally stay on just THK until everything is clear.
But my opinion is just an opinion. What i would do.

Ok so tomorrow (Tues) is the day - Dante's finally going to have his tooth xrayed. Hopefully it'll be fine and the vet will just seal it and that will be it. I'm thinking about having his hips and elbows xrayed at the same time while he's sedated just for the information. He's 7 yrs old and doesn't show any signs of trouble but while he's out they could get those pictures. OR, maybe it's just unnecessary xrays... As always, any advise is appreciated. Is there much risk from xrays?

 Quote: Matt Lang

Ok so tomorrow (Tues) is the day - Dante's finally going to have his tooth xrayed. Hopefully it'll be fine and the vet will just seal it and that will be it. I'm thinking about having his hips and elbows xrayed at the same time while he's sedated just for the information. He's 7 yrs old and doesn't show any signs of trouble but while he's out they could get those pictures. OR, maybe it's just unnecessary xrays... As always, any advise is appreciated. Is there much risk from xrays?

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