Extraction of Incisors of Newfoundland Caribou

Abstract

By use of dental forceps and elevator, the 2nd or 3rd incisor was extracted from 107 live caribou (Rangifer tarandus) for the purpose of aging the animals by counting annuli in the cementum. No adverse effects on the animals were noted. In November, 1964 and 1965, either the 2nd or 3rd incisor was extracted from 107 Newfoundland caribou for the purpose of aging the animals by counting annuli in the cementum by the method described by McEwan (1963). The equipment used was one pair of dental forceps (size 13) and one dental elevator (size 9), illustrated in Fig. 1. The forceps and elevator can be purchased from Claudis Ash Co. Ltd., Dental Material and Manufactures, 93A Albion St., Leeds 1, Yorkshire, England. Before the teeth were extracted the animals were tranquilized and given an injection of penicillin-streptomycin. The extraction was relatively simple. The head of the animal was placed on the extractor's knee. The caribou's lips were parted and the elevator was pushed down the side of the tooth separating the gum from the head and upper section of the root. Several prying movements with the elevator usually loosened the tooth. Next, the forceps were slipped down over the tooth, making sure that they were gripping below the gum line. An even, straight upward pressure was then applied. In stubborn cases, the gripping hand had to be moved in a figure-eight motion coupled with the upward pressure. The only difficulty in the technique is the risk of breaking the tooth at the gum line. Hence, it is essential to grip the tooth below the gum line and to apply an even straight upward pressure. Approximately 10 teeth were broken off before the technique was perfected. Unfortunately, collected, dried mandibles are not suitable for practice. After extraction, some bleeding occurred, usually ceasing in 15 minutes. We have not observed any adverse effects from the extractions. In 1964, 24 animals were observed for 4 months postFig. 1. Dental forceps (left) and elevator (right), used to extract caribou incisors. 1 Present address: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.