Malposition and loss of the left mandibular permanent canine in a male wild boar ( Sus scrofa L.)

Few cases of pathological alterations of the continuously growing, rootless permanent canines (tusks) of male wild boars have been described in the scientific literature. In this paper we present a case of loss of the left mandibular permanent canine in a male wild boar from the Slovak Republic. The opening of the canine’s alveolus was misplaced posteriorly, which was evidence of a malposition of the tooth. The boar’s left maxillary tusk showed overgrowth and lacked a distinct wear surface, indicating that it had not been in contact with the left mandibular tusk due to the latter’s malposition. Our findings suggest that the left mandibular tusk had also shown overgrowth. It is supposed that malposition and overgrowth increased the tusk’s risk of being damaged, and that a strong mechanical impact caused a complete or incomplete fracture of the tooth. It is further supposed that infection and inflammation of the tusk’s pulp occurred as sequelae of the fracture. The spread of the infection and inflammation through the large opening at the tusk’s growing end then led to chronic osteomyelitis of the surrounding mandibular bone. In the course of the disease process, the tusk or its remnant was shed from the mandible.