Schatzie, a 6-month-old, female, Rottweiler dog was presented this past Friday for re-implantation of a tooth that was completely avulsed from its tooth socket as a result of chewing on a wrought iron fence. Schatzie is a potential show dog and the client did not want to sacrifice the tooth (extract). Presentation was within hours of the avulsion injury. Under anesthesia, Dr. Tsugawa obtained radiographs of the tooth socket to confirm that fragmentation of the root did not occur during the injury. The exposed roots were disinfected with a doxycycline lavage; followed by application of autogenous growth-factor rich platelet-rich plasma to enhance healing. The re-implanted tooth was stabilized to the adjacent teeth using a wire and composite splint. The splint will remain in place for 3 weeks; after which, continued radiographic monitoring of the re-implanted tooth will be necessary. Monitoring is necessary because the vitality of this tooth is questionable--i.e., the blood supply to the tooth was completely severed. If the tooth is determined to be non-vital, root canal treatment will be necessary.
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