THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF TOOTH RESECTION IN PIGLETS

An epidemiologic study was done on 796 newborn piglets to test the con sequences of the resection of canine and lateral incisor teeth on the first day of live. The resection was carried out either with side-cutt er pliers or with the teeth grinder PIGMATIC 110. A third group f pigl ets was left untreated and served as control. Histological, radiograph ic and bacteriological examinations were made in 10 piglets of each te st-groups. An opening of the pulp cavity was seen when the crowns of t eeth were ground, 48 % of those reacted with an inflammation of the pu lp. The clipping of the crowns of teeth with side-cutter pliers caused pulpitis in 92 % of the teeth. Gingival inflammation was seen around clipped teeth. Splinters occurred only at teeth that had been clipped with side-cutter pliers. Gingivitis and pulpitis extended along the sp linters to the apex of the root. Bites amond the litter mates were mor e frequent in the group of piglets whose teeth had not been treated th an in the groups of piglets with resected teeth. Bites to the sow's ud der were much more frequent if the resection hab been omitted. During the whole examination period the mortality of piglets was lowest in th e group of piglets with grinded teeth. Clipping the teeth is regarded as a risk.