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Incisor Removal

22 10:19:48

Question
QUESTION: Hello Dana, we adopted 2 more bunnies from the shelter who'd been in for a year.  One of the boys had his incisors removed on May 4/08.  

By July 19, they removed his peg tooth/teeth which began to grow back in.  I understood all of that before adopting and realized the peg teeth may grow in again.  I was told tho'that they could break off pretty easily perhaps even just from eating.

What I'm very upset about is although I understood that the roots were removed (still going to find that out FOR SURE), when I checked him this AM, I saw one skinny tooth coming through.  It looks like a little 'post'.  I don't know if that's a peg tooth coming back in or if his incisors are beginning to regrow.  Perhaps the shelter vet did not in fact didn't get all of the roots.  I'm so upset.

If his incisors were done early May and it's now late August, could there be a chance that if they were his incisors returning, they'd be a lot longer by this point?  This 'post' of a tooth looks about a cm. long but I'm completely guessing at this point.

It seems this 'post' tooth is right at the front of his mouth, that's why I'm worried it's his incisors because the peg teeth are always behind the front ones.

Any help would sure be appreciated.  I can just see the dollars flying out the window now with probably more surgery if his roots weren't claimed the way I believed.

Thank you,
Paula

ANSWER: Dear Paula,

If the new tooth is very small and thin, it's likely the peg tooth returned.  If the incisors are gone, then the peg tooth could move forward, just as teeth will rearrange themselves in the human mouth if one is missing.

I hope it's just a peg, but I'm sorry for the grief you're having to go through with this.  Not only is it $$ for you, but it's more stress for the poor bunny.  

Hope they get everything all permanently fixed if you have to take him in again.

Take care,

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dana, thanks for the answer.  It is small and thin, like a little stick as I mentioned.  

When you said the peg tooth could move forward, does that mean it should be surgically removed too?  I was told the peg teeth are 'softer' and may break off themselves even from something like eating.

Thank you,
Paula

Answer
Dear Peg,

Yes, the peg teeth are more delicate, and probably will continually break without the "protection" of the front incisors.  But keep an eye on it for any sign that it's *not* going to break (there is individual variation), and if it becomes a problem, it may have to be removed, too.

Or you may be able to learn to file it yourself, since it's small.  But if it stays relatively short, you might not have to worry.  Only time will tell.

Hope all will be fine.

Dana