Fractured Teeth in Dogs & Cats in Beaverton, OR
Broken teeth are one of the most common reasons pets visit Premier Pet Dentistry. Hard chews, bones, antlers, cage biting, and accidents can fracture teeth — and when the pulp is exposed, the tooth becomes painful and infected even if your pet keeps eating normally. We offer tooth-saving treatments like root canal therapy and crowns whenever possible.
Why a Broken Tooth Needs Attention
Each tooth contains living pulp tissue made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When a fracture exposes the pulp, bacteria enter the root canal, leading to pain, pulp death, and eventually a root abscess that can damage the surrounding bone. Even fractures that don’t expose the pulp can cause sensitivity, and a discolored tooth after trauma often signals that the pulp has died.
Pets rarely show obvious pain from a broken tooth. Instead, they may chew on one side, drop toys, avoid hard food, or simply seem less playful. Many owners only realize how much their pet was hurting after treatment.
Common Causes of Fractured Teeth
- Chewing on bones, antlers, hooves, nylon toys, or ice cubes
- Cage or kennel biting and fence chewing
- Car accidents, falls, and other trauma, sometimes along with jaw fractures
- Bite problems from malocclusion that cause teeth to strike each other
Treatment Options for a Broken Tooth
After a full oral exam and dental x-rays to confirm the root and bone are intact, Dr. Martin will discuss your options:
- Root canal therapy: Through our pet endodontics service, we remove infected pulp, disinfect the canal, and seal it — saving the tooth and eliminating pain.
- Vital pulpotomy: For very recent fractures in young pets, partial pulp treatment can keep the tooth alive and allow it to continue maturing.
- Crowns and restorations: Custom metal crowns and bonded restorations from our restoratives and prosthodontics service protect treated teeth, especially in working and sporting dogs.
- Surgical extraction: When saving the tooth isn’t practical, our oral surgery team removes it carefully to leave a pain-free mouth.
Many pet insurance policies cover tooth fractures — our team can help with your claim. Learn more on our FAQ page or explore our full list of conditions treated.
Fractured Teeth FAQs
Is a broken tooth an emergency for my pet?
A fresh fracture with exposed pulp should be evaluated as soon as possible. Early treatment may allow a vital pulpotomy that keeps the tooth alive in young pets.
My pet is still eating. Does the broken tooth really hurt?
Yes. Pets must eat to survive and will often eat through significant pain. A fracture that exposes the pulp is painful and will lead to infection without treatment.
Can a broken tooth be saved instead of extracted?
Often, yes. Root canal therapy can save many fractured teeth, especially large functional teeth like the canines and upper fourth premolars.
What does a pink, gray, or purple tooth mean?
Discoloration after trauma usually means the pulp is inflamed or has died. Dental x-rays help determine whether a root canal or extraction is needed.
Does pet insurance cover fractured teeth?
Many policies cover tooth fractures and trauma. We are happy to help you submit records and invoices for your claim.
How can I prevent fractured teeth?
Avoid bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon chews, and ice cubes. A good rule is that if you can’t indent a chew with your fingernail, it is too hard for your pet’s teeth.
Get Help for Your Pet’s Broken Tooth
Call 503-PREMIER ((503) 773-6437) or request an appointment with Premier Pet Dentistry in Beaverton, OR . We proudly care for dogs and cats from Beaverton and across the Portland metro.