Are feline tooth resorption issues affecting your cat? Learn about causes and treatment options now
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Tooth resorption is a special type of tooth decay that mostly occurs in cats. It’s also known as a feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) or cervical line lesion. While it can affect dogs, it’s more common in cats, impacting between 20% to 60% of them. Most cats with this problem are older than five years, although it can start in cats as young as two years old. Keep reading to understand the causes and treatment options for feline tooth resorption.
What Is Feline Tooth Resorption?
- A typical cat tooth has an inner chamber known as the root canal, filled with tissues composed of blood vessels, lymph components, and nerves. This tissue connects with the rest of the body and is surrounded by a hard, bony substance called dentin.
In tooth resorption, the dentin of a tooth starts to break down and erode, causing lesions or damaged areas in the tooth. The decay usually starts at the base, near the root, and can spread to the entire tooth. While any tooth can be affected, it most commonly occurs in the premolars and molars.
Causes of Feline Tooth Resorption
- Some experts think that too much vitamin D in commercial cat food might lead to lesions, although not all researchers agree. More studies are necessary to pinpoint the exact cause of tooth resorption in cats.
Symptoms of Tooth Resorption in Cats
- The most noticeable symptom of tooth resorption in cats is pain, but this can be hard to detect. Sometimes, the only sign of tooth pain in a cat is less frequent grooming. However, changes in your cat’s eating habits might indicate tooth resorption.
Signs to look out for include:
- Chewing food using only one side of their mouth, which might involve tilting their head while eating.
- Food drops from their mouth during meals.
- Refusing to eat.
- A new preference for wet food over dry.
- Swallowing food without chewing it properly.
Stages of Tooth Resorption in Cats
Feline tooth resorption is classified into five stages:
- Stage One: This is the initial phase where small lesions appear near the base of the tooth.
- Stage Two: Lesions enlarge but are still confined to the dentin layer.
- Stage Three: This stage features deep erosion and more severe lesions.
- Stage Four: Lesions are extensive, compromising the structural integrity of the tooth.
- Stage Five: This final stage involves chronic, long-term lesions and might icause the visible part of the tooth, the crown, to fall off.
Treatment for Tooth Resorption in Cats
- Treatment varies depending on the stage of resorption:
Treatment for Stage One
- The focus is on controlling lesion growth and preventing further damage. Regular dental care, including cleaning and annual check-ups, is critical.
Treatment for Stage Two
- Some vets might offer restorative fillings to repair the degraded areas, although this service isn’t available everywhere.
Treatment for Stages Three, Four, and Five
The recommended treatment is surgical removal of the affected teeth. The cost of tooth extraction can vary depending on the complexity and veterinary practice.
Early stages may be less costly as they might not require hospitalization, but advanced stages will likely include the costs of anesthesia, X-rays, hospital stay, and medication.
Preventing Tooth Resorption in Cats
- Preventing tooth resorption in cats mainly involves maintaining good dental hygiene. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings by a veterinarian can help detect and address early signs of dental disease, potentially preventing resorption.
Additionally, feeding your cat a balanced diet and using dental health products like toothpaste formulated for cats can contribute to healthier teeth and gums.
For your pet’s professional teeth cleaning, book an appointment with Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center. We perform various dental services to help keep your pet’s mouth looking and feeling great. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. Appointments are conveniently available; call us at (434) 971-9800.
