Companion Animals

Cat Feline Tooth Resorption: Recognition and Treatment

Tooth resorption affects a majority of adult cats and is an intensely painful condition that is often missed without dental radiography.

Key Facts

Over 50% of adult cats have at least one tooth resorption lesion
Lesions begin below the gumline and are only visible on dental radiography
Affected teeth cause constant or intermittent intense pain from exposed dentine
Extraction of affected teeth immediately resolves pain in most cases

Welfare Considerations

Tooth resorption causes chronic pain that cats hide well. Many cats show sudden improved appetite and engagement after extraction of affected teeth, revealing how much pain they had been experiencing silently. Dental radiography is essential for diagnosis.

What You Can Do

Ensure your cat receives full-mouth dental radiography at every professional dental procedure
Seek extraction of any tooth resorption-affected teeth - filling is not an effective treatment
Watch for subtle signs including facial rubbing, reluctance to eat hard food, and behaviour change