EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF CANINE TEETH FRACT URES IN MILITARY DOGS

An epidemiologic study of canine teeth fractures was accomplished in a sample of 142 military dogs. A statistical analysis of answers to que stionnaire survey, correlated to clinical observations and enabled des cription of the type of upper teeth fractures observed, the circumstan ces under which they appear and factors which favor their appearance. Canine teeth fractures presented a distal and mesial bevel. The bevel is oriented in a downward and forward oblong direction. The dental pul p broke through the dental wall systematically. The loss of substance generally affected more than fifty per cent of the upper teeth volume. One dog out of four showed one or more canine teeth fractures. Canine teeth fractures appeared during attack exercises, or in the kennel fo llowing << pica << behaviour. Two or more canine teeth fractures resul ted in an important decrease of the dogs' fighting capacity. We notice d a high frequency of preexistant abrasive dentin and enamel lesions a nd splits. Knowledge on canine teeth fracture types, on the circumstan ces in which they appeared and on their influence, led us to propose p reventive solutions and to test prosthetic therapeutics.