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Dog Questions
Dear Dr. Berg,
My German shepherd has one tooth that has turned dark all of
a sudden. It’s the big fang in the
front, but it doesn’t seem to bother him any.
What caused this and do I need to do anything about it if it is not
bothering him. It has been this way for
about 3 months and doesn’t seem to be getting any worse.
Thank you.
R. C., Wilmington
Dear R. C.,
The most common cause of a sudden darkening of a tooth is
due to a sharp blow to the tooth, causing bleeding deep within the tooth. When this happens, the color may gradually
lighten or it may remain. Often it will
not bother the dog after the initial soreness of the original injury has worn
off. But other times, the deep internal
trauma may lead to deep infections or abscesses within the tooth.
You should have the tooth checked carefully by your
veterinarian. Keep a close eye on your
dog’s gum line for any signs of swelling, redness or discharge. Try to notice if he is able to use the tooth
without pain or discomfort.
If the tooth becomes diseased, it can be extracted or
repaired. An expert in the dental field
who practices in our area is Dr. Paul Orsini at the Veterinary Specialty Center
of Delaware in Newport. He is a
veterinary dental specialist who is able to perform delicate oral surgery
including root canal procedures and applications of crowns.
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