Field Guide · Glossary
Slab fracture
Health and safetyA fracture in which a piece breaks away from the side of a tooth, most often one of the large upper chewing teeth.
How it works
It is typically caused by biting down on something that does not yield: antlers, hooves, bones, hard nylon chews and ice are the usual culprits. The fracture can expose sensitive inner tooth structure, and treatment is generally extraction or root canal work rather than anything conservative. Dogs frequently show no obvious sign and continue eating normally, which is why these are often found during a routine dental examination rather than reported by an owner.
What it looks like
A dog who chews antlers daily is found at a routine check to have a fractured upper carnassial tooth. They had eaten normally throughout and had never dropped food or shown discomfort.
Commonly confused with
- Dissection
- Dissection is shredding something into pieces, which is a behavior worth providing for. A slab fracture comes from biting down hard on something rigid. Shreddable materials satisfy the behavior without the risk.
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