A GERMAN Shepherd who faced a mouth full of trouble after running into a garden bench in the dark is now champing at the bit thanks to the jaw-dropping dentistry skills of a vet and her team near Wellington.

Six-year-old Diesel’s canine tooth was sticking out of his mouth at an angle, as well as having fractured his lower jaw, after the accident which saw him referred to Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists in West Buckland for emergency dental treatment. 

Annabel McFadzean, clinician in dentistry and oral surgery, said: “Diesel was a dentistry emergency.

“We needed to reposition the tooth as soon as possible, as the longer the delay the higher the likelihood he would lose his canine tooth.

“It had already lost the blood supply from the luxation injury, but if we could get the ligament fibres to heal that and hold the tooth in place we would be able to perform a root canal treatment to save the tooth.

“We saw Diesel back for a repeat CT scan a few weeks later and the mandibular bone was healed. The canine tooth was now stable in the jaw and we finished with root canal treatment.

“It’s great to have saved Diesel’s tooth and we just hope he keeps a close eye on where he’s running in the future so we don’t have to see him again.”

The dental surgery saw the tooth and bony fragment repositioned, while a splint was put in place to provide rigid support. The aim was to allow the fibres to regenerate and for the bone to heal.

Diesel’s owner, Kane Hibbard from Chard, said: “Diesel has fully recovered and lives life as he did before. His jaw has fully repaired and he has had his canine root canalled, along with his three small front teeth being removed.

“He is back to playing with toys and socialising with other dogs with no discomfort. Diesel was well looked after at Cave and we had regular phone calls and updates which was very reassuring for us.” 

For more information on Cave Veterinary Specialists, visit https://cave-vet-specialists.co.uk or search for Cave Veterinary Specialists on social media.