How to file rats' teeth? - briefly
Use a fine‑toothed file or rotary dental burr under light anesthesia to gently smooth the incisor edges, removing no more than 0.5 mm. Keep equipment sterile and observe the animal for stress during the process.
How to file rats' teeth? - in detail
Filing the incisors of a laboratory rat requires a sterile environment, appropriate equipment, and careful handling to prevent injury and ensure tooth health.
Begin by preparing a clean work surface and gathering the following items: a pair of fine‑grade dental files (size 1–2), a small handheld rotary instrument with a low‑speed handpiece, a gauze pad, a saline solution for irrigation, a mild antiseptic spray, and a soft restraining device such as a padded tube or a custom‑made plexiglass holder.
First, restrain the animal gently but securely. Place the rat in the restrainer, ensuring the head is exposed and the mouth is accessible without excessive stress. Use a brief, low‑dose inhalant anesthetic if the procedure will exceed a few minutes, following institutional animal care protocols.
Second, inspect the incisors. Healthy rodent teeth should display a smooth, curved edge with a slight orange‑brown enamel tip. Overgrown teeth appear flattened, elongated, or cause malocclusion. Identify the portion to be reduced, typically the distal edge of each incisor.
Third, wet the file or rotary tip with saline to reduce heat. Apply light, controlled pressure in short strokes, moving from the tip toward the base. Limit each pass to 1–2 mm of enamel removal; excessive filing can expose dentin and cause pain. After each pass, rinse the tooth with saline and examine the contour. The goal is a slightly tapered edge that allows normal gnawing without sharp points.
Fourth, after achieving the desired shape, clean the mouth thoroughly with saline and apply a mild antiseptic spray to reduce bacterial load. Observe the rat for a few minutes to ensure normal breathing and that no bleeding occurs.
Finally, record the procedure details—date, animal identification, anesthesia used, tools, and amount of enamel removed—in the laboratory log. Schedule a follow‑up inspection within 24–48 hours to confirm proper healing and tooth alignment.
Key considerations:
- Use only instruments designed for small animal dentistry.
- Maintain a temperature below 37 °C on the tooth surface to avoid thermal damage.
- Limit total filing time to under five minutes per animal when possible.
- Follow all relevant veterinary and ethical guidelines for analgesia and post‑procedure monitoring.