Nonvital pulp therapy of elongation of roots of mandibular cheek teeth in pet rabbits

Elongation of cheek teeth roots in pet rabbits is very common, and is associated with malocclusion followed by reduced appetite, salivation, periapical abscess, and epiphora. Conservative methods including medication, drainage, irrigation, tooth trimming, intraoral and extraoral extraction, surgical treatment of periapical abscessation, and diet control have been adapted as the only treatments to resolve elongation of teeth roots. However, remaining challenges include the long-term period of cure and recurrence. This study was performed to investigate the possibility of nonvital pulp therapy on elongation of the mandibular cheek teeth roots in pet rabbits. Thirty-one pet rabbits with dental problems due to root elongation were submitted. Ten pet rabbits among them were treated by nonvital pulp therapy procedures (group A), while the others were treated by conservative methods (group B). Appetite improved within 1-5 days after nonvital pulp therapy and the treatment was discontinued 1 month postoperatively in group A. Abscess occurred in another site not treated with nonvital pulp therapy in only two rabbits. Growth of the mandibular cheek teeth treated with nonvital pulp therapy stopped, resulting in malocclusion, intraoral inflammation from the enamel spur, and abscess of the teeth roots. In the group B rabbits treated with conservative therapy, partial drainage, long term medication, recurrent oral trimming and control of repeated oral inflammation occurred. Consequently, buccotomy or tooth extraction was performed in group B. Owners were satisfied with nonvital pulp therapy preventing dental root abscess and repeated troubles including inflammation and malocclusion and reduction of the treatment period. These results suggest that nonvital pulp therapy can be performed on pet rabbits with elongation of mandibular cheek teeth roots.