How Much Does a Dog Broken Tooth Treatment Cost?
A tooth fracture in dogs is often caused by some sort of trauma such as being hit by an object or when chewing on something hard. When enough pressure is exerted onto the tooth, it may break, leading to pain and/or an infection.
While a dog can fracture any of their teeth, the canine teeth and the large teeth in the back (premolars) are the most commonly fractured teeth.
Broken teeth, in a lot of scenarios, can be a problem and it is an issue which should be dealt with immediately to avoid a deadly infection from occurring in the future.
How much does broken dog tooth treatment cost at a local vet?
The cost of fixing a broken tooth will depend on the circumstances and the type of procedure the vet performs. As there are three popular treatment options, we broke down these treatments and the costs associated with it in our table below:
Type of Treatment | Description | Average Price |
---|---|---|
Root canal therapy | A root canal removes all of the infected pulp and fills the root canal with mendicants to help prevent an infection in the future. This is often the most common procedure performed and can be the best treatment option for most scenarios. | $1,100 to $3,500+ |
Vital pulpotomy (pulp capping) | If the fracture is fresh and there is no sign of infection, then a vet may consider this treatment option, most often for dogs younger than 18 months. During this procedure, a portion of the pulp will be removed, including any diseased aspect and a dressing will be applied. | $850 to $1,300+ |
Extraction | Depending on the tooth and the severity of the break, an extraction may be considered to completely remove the tooth and its function. This treatment, however, is considered as a last resort as this procedure can affect your dog's chewing and can cause quite a bit of pain. | $150 to $550+ |
NOTE: These costs may not include the additional costs such as the initial appointment, x-rays, blood work, anesthesia, post-surgical hospitalization, medication and/or post-operative checkups.
According to a forum thread on ChronOfHorse.com, one member said she was quoted $700 for a root canal, whereas another member said she was quoted $150 for an extraction or $900 for the root canal.
A member via this DogForums.com forum thread claimed his tooth extraction, once all of the extras, including the extraction, scaling, polishing, anesthesia, IV catheterization, presurgical screen, hospitalization and medicine were factored in, the total cost was $425.
Embrace Pet Insurance notes the costs will depend on the kind of fracture and the treatment elected. A complicated fracture, which requires an extraction may cost $500 to $1,000 for a larger tooth, but for a root canal, the costs are roughly the same as it is for a human being, often being $1,500 to $3,000 or more. In some cases, especially for larger dogs, do not be surprised if the costs reach up to $6,000, according to the website.
MyPetsDentist.com notes the cost of a root canal will depend on the size of your dog, the dog’s age, the number of roots that need to be worked on and the severity of the fracture.
The treatment
Before a treatment plan is even considered, your vet will first pay close attention to any symptoms indicative to a fractured tooth, including pain, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling, exposed pulp, a formation of a tooth abscess, an infection and/or bleeding near the tooth. In most cases, a simple examination of the mouth can reveal the fraction and the treatment option necessary, but oftentimes, a vet will take an x-ray to examine the degree of compromise, the type of fracture and to confirm the correct treatment option. During this examination, all four general tissues need to be considered in order to figure out how to cope with the fracture and anesthesia is always required for any of the procedures mentioned prior.
If the pulp is exposed, as is the case with many broken teeth, then veterinarians will have two options: either an extraction or a root canal. A root canal can help remove the affected pulp and replace it with a new material and crown, allowing the tooth to function as it did before, but an extraction, while it is effective at reducing the pain, will result in a loss of the tooth, effectively losing its function. In some cases, if the fracture does extend into the root, then an extraction may be your only choice.
Recovery
Depending on the treatment, the aftercare and the recovery healing process will vary. If the dog underwent a root canal, then in most cases, a dog should be able to resume activities relatively quick and will be able to drink and eat almost the same day.
A tooth extraction, often the hardest on your dog, will take the longest to recover due to the pain. Your veterinarian will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to help with the pain and to prevent an infection in the future.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Average Reported Cost: $0

