Introduction

• Fracture of tooth may expose pulp which will become inflamed and infected leading to pain and likely eventual periapical abscessation.
• Cause: traumatic.
• Signs: painful (variable expression).
• Treatment: endodontics 'root canal therapy' (to save tooth), extraction.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Trauma, eg catching stones, fights, RTA.
• Trauma when eating/chewing, eg bones, hard toys.

Predisposing factors

• Young animals (immature dentition).
• Playing habits.
• Diet.

Specific

• RTA.
• Cage biting.
• Chewing hard objects (including bones).
• Fights.
• Catching stones.
• High-rise injury.
• Carrying over-sized sticks.

Pathophysiology

• Exposure of pulp due to fracture   → inflammation and infection of pulp ('pulpitis') → necrosis of pulp → periapical pathology (abscessation  /granulation tissue/cyst). Tooth discoloration, from pulp necrosis, may occur .
• Pulp may still become inflamed (with potential pathology as above) even if not fully exposed as thin dentine is poorly protective.

Timecourse

• Immediate onset re discomfort and pulp compromise.
• Weeks to years re periapical pathology.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes