Dog's broken canine tooth fixed with post and core reconstruction

Abstract

A 6-year-old spayed female poodle dog weighing 5 kg was presented with a fractured right upper canine tooth (#104). Dental examination using an intraoral camera and radiography confirmed a tooth fracture with an exposed pulp, resulting in the loss of ~2/3 of the crown. Tooth #104 was diagnosed with a complicated crown fracture. Consequently, root canal therapy was undertaken, involving root canal preparation with hand files and subsequent canal filling with appropriate filling materials. After the root canal therapy was completed, part of the filling material was removed to facilitate post placement. A post was then inserted and secured with resin cement. A composite resin core was built around the post, and a ferrule was created on the remaining crown using a diamond bur. After an impression was obtained, a custom metal crown was fabricated and cemented onto the prepared tooth. No complications were observed during the 22-month follow-up period. This case suggests that prosthetic reconstruction using post-and-core techniques may be an effective and viable treatment option for fractured canine teeth in small-breed dogs. Key clinical message: Prosthetic reconstruction using the post-and-core technique can be a successful treatment option for fractured canine teeth in small-breed dogs. In this case, the combination of root canal therapy, post placement, and crown restoration achieved function with long-term success, as evidenced by the 22-month follow-up results.