Cat Dental Disease Grading and Treatment Decisions

Dental disease grading guides treatment decisions in cats, and understanding the grading system helps owners make informed choices.

Key Facts

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and American Veterinary Dental College provide dental disease grading guidelines
Periodontal disease is graded 1-4: Grade 1 is gingivitis only, Grade 4 is severe periodontitis with bone loss
Grade 1-2 disease is treated with professional cleaning; Grade 3-4 may require extraction of affected teeth
Tooth resorption is staged 1-5 based on the extent of root involvement
Full-mouth radiographs (dental x-rays) are essential for accurate grading - visual examination misses 50%+ of disease
Cats grade 2+ require cleaning and radiographs under anesthesia with treatment planning based on radiographic findings
Home dental care including tooth brushing is most effective at maintaining Grade 1 disease after professional cleaning

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease that is graded without radiographs misses significant subgingival disease causing ongoing pain. Treatment decisions that ignore radiographic findings - extracting only visually abnormal teeth while leaving radiographically diseased teeth - provide incomplete pain relief. Full radiographic grading before treatment planning ensures that all sources of pain are addressed in a single anesthetic event.

What You Can Do

Request full-mouth radiographs as part of any professional dental procedure - this is the standard of care
Ask about dental disease grading so you understand the severity and recommended treatment
Do not postpone treatment for Grade 3-4 disease due to cost or anesthesia concerns - pain is ongoing
Implement tooth brushing after professional cleaning to slow plaque accumulation
Ask your vet how frequently professional cleaning is recommended for your cat based on their grade history