RETROSPECTIVE CLASSIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CANINE FRACTURES IN LARGE APES WITHIN SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN©–MANAGED POPULATIONS (2004–2017)

The prominent canine tooth of the large ape species western lowland gorilla (WLG; Gorilla gorilla gorilla), chimpanzee (CH; Pan troglodytes), bonobo (BO; Pan paniscus), and orangutan (ORG; Pongo pygmaeus spp.) is vulnerable to injury. Specialty consultation is often sought for severe dental fractures to optimize care. Although several options are possible (none, medical, endodontic, extraction), treatment by type of fracture for this tooth has not been well documented in apes. A retrospective review by survey was performed to assess the frequency of canine dental fracture in large apes that were managed in Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan© (SSP) holding institutions during 2004–2017. From 40 participating institutions, 13 facilities reported no canine tooth fractures in 96 individual apes (WLG, n = 40; CH, n = 18; BO, n = 0; ORG, n = 38). In the remaining 27 institutions, 108 individual apes (WLG, n = 55; CH, n = 45; BO, n = 6; ORG, n = 2) were reported with canine fractures. In these latter apes, 179 canine fractures were described; more than 1 canine was involved in 26 individual apes, contributing to 66% (n = 118) of the total fractures. The cause of these fractures was frequently unknown, but when identified, the most frequent cause was conspecific trauma. Dental fracture descriptions were standardized and then assessed in the context of the initial treatment selected. Classifications included fractures of the enamel (16%, n = 29), enamel-dentin (21%, n = 38), enamel-dentin-pulp (15%, n = 27), crown root (36%, n = 64), and root (9%, n = 17), or avulsion (2%, n = 4). Treatment categories included none (58%, n = 103), medical treatment (4%, n = 8), endodontic procedure (21%, n = 38), or extraction (17%, n = 30), which varied by initial presentation and species. From this retrospective review, understanding of canine dental fractures in large apes has been improved. The data collected inform veterinarians on prevalence and type of dental injury in large apes and support prospective improvement of their dental care.