We assess each patient individually, considering their health history, age and any concurrent medical conditions, to tailor the anaesthetic approach to their specific needs.
Due to their relatively large size, deciduous canine teeth are the most common concern. Fractured, persistent or misaligned baby teeth in puppies and kittens may need extraction to ensure comfort, prevent abscesses and avoid long-term dental issues. Maintaining the health and comfort of our pets’ mouths is crucial, especially during critical developmental and behavioural stages. Addressing problems with deciduous teeth helps prevent discomfort and supports overall growth and development.
Development & common issues
Puppies and kittens, like humans, develop two sets of teeth. The first set, deciduous or baby teeth, emerges within the first few weeks of life. These are eventually replaced by a second set of permanent or adult teeth by around 4-6 months of age. Despite their brief presence, deciduous teeth can still cause significant issues if not managed properly.
Deciduous teeth may encounter problems such as fractures, persistence (not shedding when the permanent teeth erupt), or malpositioning, leading to trauma or malocclusion. Fractured, persistent, or misaligned deciduous teeth often require extraction to prevent further complications and ensure proper development of the permanent teeth.
“Fractured, persistent or misaligned baby canine teeth may need extraction to ensure comfort, prevent abscesses and avoid long-term dental issues.”
Problems from fractures & malocclusions
Rambunctious behaviour in young pups, such as chewing inappropriate objects or trauma from running into things, can cause fractures in deciduous canine teeth. If untreated, these fractures can lead to abscesses, causing pain and potential developmental issues like enamel hypoplasia in the underlying permanent tooth.
Deciduous mandibular canine teeth can cause pain and trauma if there is an underlying malocclusion. This can occur when the teeth contact and injure the soft tissues in the mouth due to improper positioning (class 1 malocclusion) or skeletal issues where the upper jaw is longer than the lower (class 2 malocclusion). Early extraction of these teeth (6-12 weeks) may improve comfort and facilitate proper growth, although it does not always ensure the correct eruption of permanent teeth.
“Addressing problems with deciduous teeth helps prevent discomfort and supports overall growth and development.”
Techniques, potential complications & recovery
Careful extraction of deciduous mandibular canine teeth is crucial to avoid damaging developing permanent tooth buds. Depending on the difficulty, reason for extraction and the developmental stage of the permanent teeth, either closed or surgical techniques can be used. Proper technique minimises the risk of complications and supports effective healing.
Extraction of deciduous teeth occasionally leads to minor trauma to developing permanent teeth, such as enamel staining or localised defects. However, significant issues are rare. Most patients recover quickly, with many owners noting their puppy or kitten returning to normal the following day. The benefits of timely extraction generally outweigh the minimal risks.
