Although “Feline Tooth Resorption Syndrome” (TR) sounds extremely scary and rare, it actually affects up to two thirds of all domestic cats so chances are, if you’ve ever owned a cat before, you may have even had a cat who suffered from this condition at one period of their life. TR has also been called "feline odontoclastic resorption lesion" (FORL), neck lesion, cervical neck lesion, cervical line erosion, feline subgingival resorptive lesion, feline caries, or feline cavity. These holes are so… https://avdc.org/avdc-nomenclature/. Cats are prone to a specific type of dental problem called a FORL (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion). Endod Dent Traumatol. Each cat’s tooth has a chamber (the root canal) that contains tissue made up of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. Tooth resorption results in the loss of tooth structure, starting with the outer enamel surface, usually at or below the gumline. In addition, antibiotics will be required to manage bacterial infection. In the past, TR was also known as cat caries, 1,2. Symptoms of tooth resorption in cats can range from: Many cats with tooth resorption also show no signs of pain or change in behavior at home. Over time, all areas of an affected tooth, from root to crown, may become involved. Tooth resorption in adult cats is when this process affects adult teeth. By the way, there is also a paper And untreated dental disease can be very painful for your cat and can even cause them to stop eating. You could notice a cavity in your cat’s teeth, or gums growing over the tooth. It is hard to spot tooth resorption in your pet, because the only way to see the cavities is to look directly into the cat's mouth. What Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food? The teeth become functionally destroyed, and painful as a result of tooth resorption. Scientifically, feline tooth resorption syndrome is a dental disease where the odontoclasts erode the dentin (the hard tissue under the enamel of teeth) found in the tooth structure. 1. Tooth resorption is the most common cause of tooth loss in cats, and between 30 and 70% of cats show some sign of this destructive process. In the latter case, an x-ray will be required for diagnosis. February is Dental Awareness Month, so its a perfect time to start the year off right by providing good dental care for your cat. Says Dr. Rawlinson: “The owner may notice that the animal’s appetite appears to be normal but that it tilts its head and tries to chew on just one side of its mouth. Cats are MYSTERIOUS creatures with mysterious ailments. Your veterinarian is your best partner for diagnosis and treatment of tooth resorption. Companion Animal Hospital in Ithaca, NY for cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife, Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals in Ithaca, NY for horses and farm animals, Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, on Long Island for every horse, Ambulatory and Production Medicine for service on farms within 30 miles of Ithaca, NY, Animal Health Diagnostic Center New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. A more reliable indicator in this regard is a cat’s behavior while eating. Tooth Resorption. If your cat has untreated periodontal disease, not only will he be uncomfortable, there will be a constant stream of bacteria and inflammatory mediators in his blood stream. These feline dental lesions were originally called feline odontoclastic resorption lesions or neck lesions, and cat dental "cavities" because the lesions were typically observed in the "neck" region of the tooth. To treat feline tooth resorption, a veterinarian will aim to manage the cat’s pain, prevent the condition from progressing, and restore the function of the tooth or teeth as much as possible. Just one more reason why dental care is so important for our cats! Injury, teeth grinding, and cavities can all cause this potentially painful condition. Your veterinarian may recommend careful monitoring in cases in which lesions are limited to the tooth root and obvious discomfort is not apparent. Depending on the exact location of tooth loss, resorption of the tooth is divided into two main classifications. Karen Christopherson DVM. Tooth Resorption. The best treatment for dental resorption is removing the affected tooth. Plaque bacteria can colonize the tooth surface in just 24 to 36 hours. It has been a little over eight years since I wrote about tooth resorption in cats and while not a lot has changed, in a practical sense, I think it is time I update you on some more recent findings and thoughts. There is no obvious predisposition with regard to gender, breed, or neuter status. If your cat becomes painful or resistant to tooth brushing that they previously allowed, it may be a sign of oral pain. Signs can include poor appetite, painful teeth that your cat resists having touched or tapped, or a tooth with a reddish-brown, purple, or gray color. Studies have shown that cats are more likely to have tooth resorption as they age.4 They have also found that cats that are diagnosed with tooth resorption are more likely to have other teeth affected in the future. Treatment is solely dependent on this type of classification, so, again, dental radiography is essential in making a final determination. 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