Health & Diseases

Tooth Fractures in Dogs: Broken Teeth – Causes, Risks &

Eine Zahnfraktur ist die partielle oder vollständige Fraktur eines Zahns — beim Hund häufig als sogenannte Slab-Fraktur, bei der eine seitliche Zahnscherbe abbricht. Entscheidend ist die Klassifikation: Eine unkomplizierte Fraktur betrifft Schmelz und Dentin, ohne die Pulpa freizulegen — schmerzhafter Dentin-Kontakt, aber kein direkter Pulpa-Zugang. Eine komplizierte Fraktur legt die Pulpahöhle frei — der Nerv und das Blutgefäß des Zahns sind exponiert, was zu akutem Schmerz, Pulpanekrose und aufsteigender Infektion führt.

Tooth Fractures in Dogs: Broken Teeth – Causes, Risks &

What is a tooth fracture in dogs?

A dental fracture is a partial or complete break in a tooth—in dogs, this often takes the form of a so-called slab fracture, in which a lateral fragment of the tooth breaks off. The classification is crucial: an uncomplicated fracture involves the enamel and dentin without exposing the pulp—resulting in painful dentin exposure but no direct access to the pulp. A complicated fracture exposes the pulp chamber—the tooth’s nerve and blood vessel are exposed, leading to acute pain, pulp necrosis, and ascending infection.

Tooth fractures are more common than people realize: Dogs tend to hide their pain because they have defense mechanisms that prevent them from showing signs of weakness. Many tooth fractures are only discovered during a veterinary examination.

Background + Scientific Context

Reiter and Gracis (2018, BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry and Oral Surgery) describe tooth fractures as one of the most common dental conditions in dogs: slab fractures most commonly affect the canine tooth (upper 4th premolar, P4)—the largest molar, which is subjected to significant forces when chewing hard materials. Complicated fractures always require treatment: either vital pulpotomy/root canal therapy to save the tooth or extraction.

Niemiec (2010, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, PubMed 20153985) describes the role of dental radiography: Dental fractures—particularly complex fractures involving the pulp—cannot be fully assessed without an intraoral radiograph. The extent of pulp involvement, the degree of periapical inflammation (abscess), and root integrity require radiographic diagnosis. Clinical examination alone systematically underestimates the severity.

Gorrel (2008, *Veterinary Dentistry for the General Practitioner*) describes the causes of typical chewing injuries: Hard objects such as bones (cooked and raw), antlers, hooves, ice balls, and hard nylon bones are the most common causes of slab fractures. The rule of thumb: If the material does not leave a dent when tested with a thumbnail, it is too hard for a dog’s teeth. Tooth fractures caused by hard toys are well documented clinically.

Vitomalia-Position

Antlers and bones are marketed as "natural chew toys"—yet they are the most common cause of tooth fractures in dogs. "Natural" does not mean "safe." A broken canine tooth in a dog is painful, expensive, and requires root canal treatment or extraction under anesthesia. Prevention through careful selection of chew toys is significantly less costly.

When does a tooth fracture become a concern?

  • My dog has suddenly started chewing only on one side
  • Refuses hard food or chew bones that used to be accepted
  • Visible tooth damage, dark discoloration, or a missing section of the tooth
  • Bleeding from the mouth when chewing
  • Behavioral changes: irritability, changes in eating habits
  • After chewing hard material: Inspection recommended

Practical application

Classification of fractures by severity:

Type Affected groups Is the pulp exposed? Treatment
Enamel fracture Enamel only No Polishing, Observation
Simple crown fracture Enamel + Dentin No Dentin sealing, check-up
Complex crown fracture Enamel + Dentin + Pulp And Root canal treatment or extraction
Crown root fracture Right down to the root If necessary Mostly extraction
Root fracture Root only Variable Extraction

Dangerous Chew Toys (high risk of tooth fracture): - Antlers (deer, reindeer, moose) - Raw and cooked bones (especially beef bones and ham bones) - Hard nylon bones (e.g., Nylabone Hard) - Hooves, pig ears (partially) - Ice balls, frozen vegetables

Safe chewing alternatives: - Thumbnail test: A chewing item that doesn't leave a dent when pressed against the nail → too hard - VOHC-approved dental snacks, soft leather strips, rubber chew toys (appropriate size)

Common Mistakes & Myths

  • “Raw bones are safe.” Raw bones are one of the most common causes of tooth fractures and intestinal injuries in dogs. Veterinary professional associations advise against using whole bones—whether raw or cooked—as Chew Toy.
  • “My dog is still eating—so it can’t hurt.” Dogs show signs of tooth pain very discreetly. A dog with a complicated fracture will often continue to eat, despite chronic pain. The absence of visible signs of pain does not mean the dog is pain-free.
  • “A broken tooth healed on its own.” Complex tooth fractures do not heal spontaneously. The pulp becomes necrotic, leading to a periapical abscess that slowly spreads into the bone tissue. Without treatment, this becomes a chronic condition with systemic consequences.

Current State of Research (2026)

Tooth fractures are an underestimated condition in dogs—prevalence studies show that a significant proportion of older dogs have untreated tooth fractures. Veterinary dentistry (AVDC, EVD) recommends regular dental examinations with intraoral radiography starting at 3 years of age. Standard of care: complicated fractures — endodontics (vital pulpotomy, root canal treatment) or extraction; decision based on tooth age, size, and radiographic findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my dog has a broken tooth?

Visible dental damage (chipped tooth, dark spot), chewing on one side, refusal to eat, bleeding from the mouth. Many dental fractures show no clinical signs—they are often diagnosed only during a routine checkup.

Does every tooth fracture need to be treated?

Complicated fractures (where the pulp is exposed) always require treatment—either root canal therapy or extraction. Uncomplicated fractures (involving only enamel and dentin) can be monitored with a sealant and regular checkups, depending on the findings.

Which Chew Toys are gentle on dogs' teeth?

Anything that leaves a dent when tested with your thumbnail is gentle on the teeth. Soft leather chew strips, suitable rubber chews, and VOHC-approved dental snacks. Antlers, bones, and hard nylon bones are associated with a high risk of tooth fracture.

Related terms

Sources & Further Reading

  1. Reiter, A. M., & Gracis, M. (Eds.) (2018). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry and Oral Surgery (4th ed.). BSAVA. ISBN 9781905319756.

  2. Niemiec, B. A. (2010). Dental radiography. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 25(2), 62–70. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20153985/

  3. Gorrel, C. (2008). Veterinary Dentistry for the General Practitioner. Elsevier. ISBN 9780702028748.

Wissenschaftliche Einordnung

Reiter and Gracis (2018, BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry and Oral Surgery) describe tooth fractures as one of the most common dental diseases in dogs: Slab fractures most commonly affect the carnassial tooth (upper 4th premolar, P4) — the largest cheek tooth, which is exposed to particular forces when chewing hard materials. Complicated fractures always require treatment: either vital pulpotomy/root canal treatment for tooth preservation or extraction.

Niemiec (2010, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, PubMed 20153985) describes the role of dental radiography: Tooth fractures — especially complicated fractures involving the pulp — cannot be fully assessed without an intraoral radiograph. The extent of pulp involvement, degree of periapical inflammation (abscess), and root integrity require radiographic diagnostics. Clinical examination alone systematically underestimates the severity.

Gorrel (2008, Veterinary Dentistry for the General Practitioner) describes the causes of typical chewing injuries: Hard objects such as bones (cooked and raw), antlers, hooves, ice balls, and hard nylon bones are the most common triggers for slab fractures. The rule of thumb: If the material leaves no indentation in the thumbnail test, it is too hard for dog teeth. Tooth fractures due to hard toys are well documented clinically.