RT Journal Article
T1 Presence of a supernumerary root of the right mandibular second molar in a Staffordshire terrier: a case report
A1 Collados, Javier
A1 Fuertes Recuero, Manuel
A1 Rice, Carlos A
AB The presence of a supernumerary root is an uncommon dental condition in canine patients, referring to an extra root that forms in a tooth beyond the standard number of roots that are typically expected for that specific tooth. It is a developmental anomaly most commonly observed in large-breed dogs, often as an incidental finding. These supernumerary roots may result from a disruption of the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, which is responsible for root formation. A 3-year-old Staffordshire terrier presented for a complete oral examination under general anesthesia. The initial intraoral radiographic examination revealed a suspected crown-root fracture of the right mandibular second molar tooth (410). A radiographic examination using the parallel technique, a supernumerary root was identified ruling out the suspected crown-root fracture of 410. The supernumerary root did not require treatment as it was not associated with any pathology or clinical signs. This case report highlights the importance of full-mouth intraoral radiography in the diagnosis of unusual dental conditions, such as supernumerary roots, whose presence may become clinically relevant especially if treatment of a particular tooth becomes necessary. Radiographic technique, positioning and interpretation are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and potential negative consequences for the patient as well as guiding the clinician in making appropriate treatment choices. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the presence of a supernumerary root in a mandibular second molar in a dog has not been previously reported in the veterinary dental literature.
PB Springer
SN 0165-7380
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/122322
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/122322
LA eng
NO Collados, J., Fuertes-Recuero, M. & Rice, C.A. Presence of a supernumerary root of the right mandibular second molar in a Staffordshire terrier: a case report. Vet Res Commun 49, 99 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10669-0
NO Author contributions: All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by MFR, JC, and CR. The first draft of the manuscript was written by JC and MFR, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
DS Docta Complutense
RD 11 jul 2025