Following on tooth root infection

ktj1891

ktj1891

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My vet has just rang to say that they still haven't received CT scans but have spoken to the vet that has reviewed the scans.

There cause for concern is two teeth next to each other but have advised that there is no way that they will remove two in one go. I have two options:

Removed 1 tooth and flush all the sinuses, this can be done at my vets and he will be in around 10 days depending how things clear up. This will cost on average £1500-£2000. Also I will here on out have to get his teeth rasped twice a year.

Or

Have a new techinique done to fill the cavities which would save both teeth but means he has to go to Bristol and get it done and this will cost around £2000-2500.

HOWEVER, neither are garanteed to work!! How does that help me?

So I just have no idea what to do. First option basically means that he could potentially still have problems with his sinuses and the other tooth could still need something doing to it.
Second option it relatively a new method and theres no garuantee that the infection will be cleared etc.

What do I do I need some advice. Vet says it is entirely up to me but I dont know what is the best option. Bare in mind I have around £3300 left on the insurance.
 
Very difficult for you .
The first thing I would want to know is what happens if option 2 fails can he still have option 1 later on .

Will the horse be an easy patient ?
 
Well so far I am more swayed to taken 1 tooth out as if fillings don't work I can see that it is going to cost a lot of money I just don't have!
 
Anyone else? My dentist just looked at my horses teeth and said of he didn't know otherwise his teeth looked fine. He said structurally they are in good condition. He said he would opt for filling to save his teeth!
 
So what happens if the filing fails ?
Have they told you that.
I think that's key .
Whatever in a young horse it's unlikely that the issue will disappear for ever it going to be back when he's older and if the procedure is new they are unlikely to know how long the filing will last .
Very very difficult desision .
 
If it doesn't work then just remove the teeth. Money I don't have. My dentist questioned why they would not take two out at the same time? He is only 8 and 9 next year
 
It will not be ideal for him tobe without two teeth but is it a complete no no .
Can you speak to the vets at Bristol directly I did with mine I had an hour with a professor and she took me right through everything showed me all the diagnosics explained they still did not know why it was happening .
Then when his health became seriously affected I felt I had the knowledge to say remove the tooth and pray it was causing the issue lucky it was the right call.

There are about to be major advances in dentistry for horses but the costs are going to be eye popping .
 
I suggested in your other thread that you speak to Pete Ravenhill, who is likely to be the vet in Bristol doing this surgery. I still suggest you speak to him, he is a lovely guy and would be able to explain your options. If he isn't the vet, he a specialist in equine dentistry & will be a good 2nd opinion. He is at B&W equine.
 
The sort of filling they will be planning is an apicectomy. If the vet is experienced it should be ok. Don't like the idea of taking one tooth out and leaving the other untreated if it is involved with the infection :(
 
I know it's not great but surely it's better to remove a tooth if infected rather than drilling and filling it. How will this get rid of infection?
 
The tooth is like a tube inside full of bacteria, where the nerve is dead. They will approach the end of the root through the sinus, scrape away the infection and seal up the end of the tooth to stop the bacteria coming out again. If it didn't work the teeth could still be removed at a later date, obviously it would cost again :(


You're right that the only way to be sure is to take the teeth out, however this will have implications later if the opposing teeth over erupt or move etc, could make it hard for the horse to eat.
 
ktj1891 said:
How do you ask these people would they mind me asking them should I send an email?
Click to expand...

I contacted B&V this week and the vet that the horse may be referred to got back to me very quickly, was very helpful and went through everything, this was before the horse has been referred so they had no obligation to me and in fact have recommended waiting for 4 weeks to see how the horse improves before he goes there, I was very impressed with the response.
 
Hi thank you for your response. Is that the only implications that the tooth will over grow? Surely getting them removed and then managing the other growth by getting his teeth looked at twice a year is better than possibly re-infection and costing more money?

I wonder why they do not want to remove two I know it's not ideal. But if two teeth are infected its inevitable. Especially if I did go down the filling route and that didn't work!
 
My horse had two teeth out in one go. They were on opposite sides of his mouth and he is 20 yrs old. They were removed in Feb and caused no problems so far. Both had healed well when he had his 6 month check couple weeks ago.
 
I think my guys teeth and next to each other so not sure if that affects matters more. To me its seems the obvious option but clearly its more complicated than that. I dunno. Still confused as to what route to go down. I don't have thousands to 'try' to see if something will work. I need to go with the option that's going to be most successful but no one seems to know which even the vets!
 
Hi Thank you for your reply. I went on B & W website and its down for maintenance, do you have their email address?
 
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