Quick answer: A broken tooth that exposes the inner pulp is painful and prone to infection, so it almost always needs treatment, not “watching.” There are two real options: root canal therapy (endodontics) to save the tooth, or extraction to remove it. Both are done under general anaesthesia. The right choice depends on the tooth, the fracture, and your dog.
Dogs break teeth more often than owners realise, and because a dog will keep eating and playing through the pain, a fractured tooth is easy to miss. A broken tooth is not a cosmetic problem: once the fracture reaches the sensitive pulp inside, it becomes a direct route for bacteria into the tooth root and jaw. This guide explains how teeth get fractured, why a broken tooth needs treatment, the two main options, how a vet decides between them, and exactly what the extraction process involves.
How dogs break their teeth
The most common cause is chewing on something harder than the tooth itself. The usual culprits are:
- Bones, antlers, hooves and very hard chews: the leading cause of slab fractures on the large chewing teeth (the upper fourth premolars).
- Hard nylon toys and stones: dogs that carry or chew rocks frequently chip teeth.
- Trauma: road accidents, falls, a knock to the jaw, or running into furniture.
- Cage- or fence-biting: anxious dogs that bite at metal can fracture canine teeth.
The large canine (“fang”) teeth and the upper fourth premolars (the big shearing teeth at the back) are the ones most often broken.
Why a broken tooth always needs attention
Not every chip is an emergency, but any fracture that exposes the pulp (the soft core containing the nerve and blood supply) is both painful and an open door for infection. Left untreated, the pulp dies, bacteria travel down to the root tip, and a tooth-root abscess forms, sometimes appearing as a swelling on the face just below the eye. Because dogs hide oral pain so well, many owners only notice once there is visible swelling, blood on toys, or a reluctance to chew. If you are seeing any of these, read up on the signs of dental pain in dogs: a broken tooth often hides behind the same subtle clues.
A dental X-ray is often needed to see the root and surrounding bone that the naked eye cannot. We don’t perform dental radiographs in-house, so we’ll refer you to a suitable facility when your dog’s case calls for them.
The two options: save it or remove it
When the pulp is exposed, “leaving it alone” is not a safe option. The realistic choices are:
1. Root canal therapy (endodontics). This removes the diseased pulp, disinfects the canal, and seals the tooth, keeping the natural tooth in place and functional. It is the tooth-sparing option and is especially worth considering for the strategically important teeth, such as the large canines, in younger working or active dogs. Root canal therapy is an advanced procedure that requires specialist endodontic equipment and training.
2. Extraction. This removes the broken tooth entirely, eliminating the source of pain and infection in one procedure. It is reliable, definitive, and often the most practical choice, particularly for smaller teeth, badly shattered teeth, or where there is already significant root or bone disease.
| Root canal therapy | Extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Save and keep the tooth | Remove the tooth |
| Best for | Major teeth (canines), minimal root disease | Most teeth, shattered teeth, existing infection |
| Anaesthesia | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery | Tooth stays; usually quick | Gum heals over the socket in 1-2 weeks |
| Availability | Referral to a dental specialist | Routinely done at most vet clinics |
How a vet decides
There is no single “best” answer: the decision balances the tooth involved, the extent of the fracture, the health of the root (on X-ray), your dog’s age and lifestyle, and cost. A specialist may favour saving a strategically vital canine tooth with a root canal, while a heavily damaged premolar or a tooth with an established abscess is usually better extracted. The guiding principle from the WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines is simple: no painful or infected tooth should be left untreated.
When advanced dental treatment for dogs such as endodontics is the better path, we will discuss it with you and refer to a veterinary dental specialist. For the many cases where extraction is the right call, we perform it in-house.
What the dog tooth extraction process involves
At AVH Animal Ark Veterinary Group, extractions are always carried out under general anaesthesia (never on an awake dog) with comfort and safety built into every step:
- Pre-anaesthetic assessment, including blood tests (an add-on from $250, not included in the procedure price) to confirm your dog is fit for anaesthesia, especially for senior dogs.
- General anaesthesia with IV fluid therapy and full monitoring throughout the procedure.
- Careful assessment and charting of each tooth before anything is removed (with referral for dental X-rays where a case needs them).
- Local nerve blocks so the area is numb, which keeps anaesthesia lighter and recovery smoother.
- The extraction itself, using our iM3 GS Elite dental unit. Larger or multi-rooted teeth are gently sectioned and lifted, and the socket is closed with dissolvable sutures where needed.
- A scale and polish of the remaining teeth while your dog is under, and pain relief to go home with.
Your dog recovers in a monitored, comfortable space and usually heads home the same day.
Aftercare at home
Most dogs feel markedly better within a day or two, and often the relief is obvious. To help healing: feed soft food for about a week, avoid hard chews and toys until the gum has healed, give pain relief exactly as prescribed, and complete any antibiotics. A recheck confirms the gum has healed well. Dogs cope remarkably well even after losing several teeth, and a dog free of a painful, infected tooth is a happier dog. Preventing the next fracture matters too, and so does staying ahead of everyday build-up, which is where understanding plaque vs tartar helps.
Frequently asked questions
Can a broken tooth just be left if my dog seems fine?
No. Dogs mask oral pain extremely well, so “seeming fine” is not reassurance. An exposed pulp will become infected over time. The tooth needs either root canal therapy or extraction.
Is extraction painful for my dog?
The procedure is done under general anaesthesia with local nerve blocks, so your dog feels nothing during it, and goes home with pain relief. Most dogs are visibly more comfortable within a day or two once the painful tooth is gone.
Does Arkvet do root canals?
We perform extractions under anaesthesia in-house with our iM3 GS Elite unit. When advanced endodontics (root canal therapy) is the better option to save a tooth, we refer to a veterinary dental specialist.
How much does a dog tooth extraction cost?
Extractions are usually done as part of a dental procedure. A dog dental scale and polish starts from $550 (inclusive of 9% GST), rising to around $1,000 for severe cases with multiple extractions. Blood tests are not included in those prices: a basic blood test package is an add-on from $250. You will get a personalised quote after the consultation.
Medically reviewed by Dr Colin Chin, Veterinarian (Murdoch University, 2011), special interest in anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging; anchor veterinarian at our Tampines clinic. Read Dr Colin’s profile
Last reviewed: June 2026. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation with your vet.
References / Further reading