Feline tooth resorption is an extremely painful condition affecting most adult cats, and understanding treatment options including extraction and crown amputation improves welfare outcomes.
Feline tooth resorption is one of the most painful conditions commonly encountered in companion animal dentistry, yet it remains significantly underdiagnosed because affected cats typically continue eating despite severe oral pain. The condition causes progressive destruction of tooth structure, and untreated lesions worsen over time. Choosing the appropriate treatment — full extraction versus crown amputation — requires accurate radiographic characterization of root status, making dental radiography essential rather than optional. Treatment of all affected teeth eliminates a source of chronic pain that may have been present for months or years. The welfare improvement following appropriate dental treatment for tooth resorption is among the most dramatic transformations in veterinary care, with owners frequently reporting striking behavioral improvements post-procedure.