Hereford dentist performs canine root canal surgery (From Hereford Times)

Hereford dentist performs canine root canal surgery

7:00am Wednesday 21st September 2011 in Features By Mark Bowen

A HEREFORD dentist has performed root canal surgery – on a dog.

Mark Worthing, from the Tupsley Dental Practice, got to work on the Staffordshire bull terrier in need of treatment.

Mr Worthing said the operation is exactly the same as it is for a human.

“We make a hole in the tooth to gain access to the inside,"

added Mark, who said that qualified dentists can perform veterinary dentistry but it is very limited.

“It would probably be extraction and cleaning teeth,” he explained.

The work was carried out at the Brookfield Veterinary Practice in Hampton Park after Mr Worthing was contacted by old school friend Victoria Darke who works there as a vet.

Mr Worthing said: “This was a canine tooth and they can be up to six centimetres long for dogs. Then once we have access to the inside we can disinfect it and fill it with a special sealer.”

Problems can occur with dogs’ teeth because of constant chewing.

“It is something which may not have been regarded as so important 15 or 20 years ago,”

said Mark. “But if it’s not done it can cause infection and bit of pain.

“It is safer for the dog to have the treatment rather than extraction. The reason for doing this is to avoid an acute infection later and facial swelling.”