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Draining Tracks or Draining Fistulas Draining tracks or fistulas can be seen extraorally in association with facial swelling or intraorally. Facial swellings and draining tracks may be related to tooth root infections or abscesses or completely unrelated to teeth. Facial trauma, cysts or tumors (cancers) may be the cause of extraoral draining tracks. A combination of causes may be associated with draining tracks as well. We frequently see patients that have previously had teeth removed and draining tracks subsequently developed from extraction complications. These complications have been fractured tooth root remnants, alveolar bone fragments or other sequestra. If the discharge is discolored tan, yellow or green, an infection is likely. Intraoral draining tracks can be related to infection, trauma or foreign bodies. The location of intraoral draoning tracks is very important. Draining tracks located apical to the mucogingival line are commonly related to tooth root infection and abscesses. Draining tracks from the attached gingiva or from the gingival sulcus are often related to periodontal infections. Treatment for draining tracks Antibiotic therapy is rarely sucessful on a long-term basis in treating draining tracks. There may be an initial benefit from antibiotics however when the are stopped, the draining track quickly return. Diagnosis of the source of the problem is extremely important. Dental radiographs with periodontal probing is fundamental and essential in diagnosing the cause and in treating draining tracks or fistulas. If the problem is related to retained tooth root fragments, they must be surgically removed. If a tooth was previously removed, radiographs are needed to be sure the correct tooth was removed and whether the entire tooth has been removed. If there is an infected tooth, the tooth can be treated and saved or it must be surgically removed. If there is a foreign object (sticks are common) lodged below the gumline, it must be surgically removed. Some medical conditions may result in draining tracks. Medical conditions must be diagnosed and appropriately addressed. We have identified oral cysts and tumors as the source of draining tracks. The exciting news is, not all tumors offer a bad prognosis and Dr. Kressin has an intense passion for surgical oncology. Dr. Kressin works with a medical oncologist as well as with other specialists to help diagnose and optimally treat medical and oncology cases. We provide an in depth dental consultation to provide useful information for pet owners to help make decisions about diagnosis and treatment. We find this "team effort" approach to decision making very helpful.  Suborbital track with "purulent" discharge.  Dental radiograph of this young dog demonstrates severe tooth root pathology.  Root canal therapy effectively resolved the draining track and saved the tooth.  This was a patient with a suborbital fistula. The radiograph was taken with the periodontal probe placed into the fistula. Tooth extraction resolved the fistula.  This submandibular draining track was from a foreign body penetration.  Facial swelling with draining track from the nose.  Draining track with "purulent" (bacteria and white blood cells) discharge.  The periodontal probe demonstrates a draining track just above the mucogingival line with a "purulent" or infectious discharge.  This is a fistula associated with an infected root. Antibiotics were attempted for two years to resolve this infection. Severe bone loss due to chronic infection.  Draining track under the lower jaw from severely infected canine tooth. Antibiotics and steroids failed to resolve this after 18 months. Root canal therapy effectively resolved this problem!  At age 4 months, this dog fractured the primary (baby) canine tooth. A periodontal probe was placed into the draining track. This demonstrates the risk of spreading infection to adjacent secondary (adult) teeth. It is never a good idea to wait. Extract fractured primary teeth immediately. Dog Dental Care |
 | Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialists LLC Caring: Cat dentist-Dog dentist Vet dental and oral surgery services Dale Kressin DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC & Steve Honzelka DVM, Resident 888-598-6684 Oshkosh Milwaukee Waukesha Minneapolis and St Paul Metropolitan areas © 2010 Copyright Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialists, LLC; All Rights Reserved |
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