Oral and facial trauma in animals can be quite devastating depending on how they occur. Broken jaws can involve both the upper and lower regions, but they typically revolve around the mandible. If your pet has suffered an oral and facial trauma or a jaw fracture, being seen by a vet is critical to their overall longevity and quality of life. There are many reasons for trauma and many types of treatment for them depending on the situation.
What Causes Broken Jaws in Pets?
The most common causes of jaw fractures in pets are trauma and advanced stages of periodontal disease. Traumas such as being hit by a vehicle typically result in a broken jaw. When a broken jaw is caused by periodontal disease, it usually stems from the loss of bone that surrounds the infected part of the teeth – typically the molars. When an animal suffers bone loss due to periodontal disease, it can render the jawbone weak – so weak that it can result in a broken jaw from normal activities, such as hard biting or playing.
How Do You Treat a Jaw Fracture?
The first step to treating a jaw fracture is to get a clear picture of what is going on with x-rays. Without an x-ray, it is nearly impossible to know the full extent of the damage or how to address it. We typically use sedation for the x-ray so that we can get a very good look at what is going on.
What are the Next Steps?
Once we have determined that it is a fracture and how severe it is, then our priority is to take steps to ensure that your pet’s quality of life going forward will be as good as possible. We make every effort to restore the jaw to the full extent of functionality that they can have to carry on a normal life. Although there are different techniques that we can use, the preferred method is typically acrylic splints or intraoral wire to stabilize the jaw. Since the target of repair is to restore your dog’s ability to eat and carry on normal activities, this approach is the least expensive and the least invasive.
Treatment for Jaw Fracture
After a full diagnosis has been made, the first step is typically to remove any bone fragments or teeth that are no longer stable. The next step is to smooth out any other teeth that are chipped and clean them. Then, we fasten a wire splint around the side of the jaw that is fractured and tighten it. The wires are placed so that the jaw is fixed, closed and stable. Finally, we put an acrylic covering over the wire over the fracture. We ensure that the mouth is held closed so that normal chewing happens while it is healing.
Recovery after A Jaw Fracture
During the recovery phase, your pet will be treated with a course of antibiotics and pain medication to keep them comfortable. Your pet should maintain a diet of soft foods only until the fracture is fully healed. Don’t let them play with any chew toys, and brush away food debris and bacteria twice a day to avoid an infection.
Also, apply a chlorhexidine oral mouthwash twice daily. If they will not leave the fracture alone, an Elizabethan collar might be necessary to avoid reinjury. Your dog will need to be reexamined about seven to ten days post-surgery and then four to six weeks later, depending on how severe the fracture was. Once we can see signs of healing, the splint can be removed and the soft tissue will begin to heal immediately.
If your pet has had a significant oral or facial trauma, it is important to have them evaluated and treated. At Veterinary Dental Pet Care, we specialize in complex oral and facial traumas and jaw fractures. Contact us for an appointment today!