From pearly whites to doggy gnashers for animal dentist

A NEWQUAY dentist has proved it's a dog's life after he branched out from cleaning the pearly whites of humans to the less glamorous world of fixing animals' teeth.

German dental surgeon Peer Nelz, who runs Atlantic Dental, on Edgcumbe Avenue, has decided to diversify into pet dentistry.

Above: Izzy the police dog with his repaired teeth at the animal dentist's in Newquay, and right, dentist Peer Nelz and a nurse work on Izzy.
Dentist Peer Nelz and a nurse work on Izzy the Police dog.

Peer said he decided to make the break into animal dentistry after his own beloved pet required some attention.

“It began really as a hobby because my dog Berras broke off part of his canines,” he said.

“I thought 'Oh my God, I have to do something'. He had broken part of his canines, probably through chewing hard objects. But there was no one I really knew who could do it. So, I managed to get over some equipment from America to perform the procedure. He was then given new crowns for his canines.”

As dog canines can be up to 55mm – twice the length of human roots – special root canal files are needed for the surgery.

The procedure was carried out under general anaesthetic and the procedure itself is similar to that of human root canal treatment.

And after word got round of Peer's new line of handiwork, he has had the pleasure of another high profile visitor to his surgery.

Izzy, a two-year-old Belgian shepherd police dog, was brought down from Wiltshire and underwent emergency dental surgery at Peer's surgery.

She had broken her left upper canine during a police exercise and Peer said Wiltshire was anxious for the valuable animal to be fit once again.

Peer said: “I was told she was worth around £20,000 but could be worth nearer the million-pound mark when she is older and fully trained.

“Any delay would have led to an infection in the tooth and possibly an abscess. But we managed to perform root canal treatment and fit a new crown to the dog.” Peer, who offers aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, including botox and dermal fillers as well as full mouth reconstructions, said animal dentistry remains “something of a hobby for the moment”.

He added: “I don't think there are many places that offer these kind of services but we will see what happens in the future. It remains something of a hobby of mine.”

For more information visit www.atlanticdental.co.uk