Dental Caries ~ Tooth Decay ~ in an 11 Year Old Dog

This oral image is from a 11 year old dog that was in for a dental and oral health assessment when her owner’s noticed that she was having difficulty chewing her food. The second lower left molar shows evidence of caries (arrow). Caries (or tooth decay as commonly refer to in people) are not very common in the dog when compared to humans. Most cavities or tooth decay in dogs are diagnosed once there has been wide-ranging tooth damage.

In this image we can see the extensive loss of tooth enamel and dentine which has exposed the pulp chamber to the oral cavity. The pink tissue in the center of the tooth lesion is inflamed and probably the cause of this dog’s chewing discomfort. A dental radiograph is indicated to assess the full extent of the lesion.This dental radiograph of the affected tooth shows destruction of the enamel and dentine at the top or occlusal surface of the tooth (arrow). This tooth required extraction as the destruction has been so extensive as to make repair to this tooth impractical. The tooth was extracted and our patient went on to heal well and a normal appetite and ability to chew normally returned.