Tooth resorption is the most common dental pathology in cats -- affecting 50-70% of cats -- yet most owners have never heard of it. The cat's own body attacks and dissolves the tooth structure from the inside out, causing excruciating pain that cats hide masterfully.
Table of Contents
What Is Tooth Resorption?
- Cells called odontoclasts attack tooth structure, dissolving enamel, dentin, and root
- Previously called FORLs (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions) or "cat cavities" (though not actually cavities)
- Cause is UNKNOWN despite decades of research
- Appears as red, inflamed tissue growing into the tooth at the gumline
- Progressively destroys the tooth until it crumbles or must be extracted
Types
| Type | Description | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Focal destruction with normal root structure | Full extraction (root must be completely removed) |
| Type 2 | Root is being replaced by bone | Crown amputation (roots left to resorb naturally) |
| Type 3 | Combination of Type 1 and 2 | Depends on root assessment via dental X-rays |
Signs of Tooth Resorption
- Many cats show NO signs despite severe pain (cats are stoic)
- Jaw chattering when eating
- Dropping food from one side of the mouth
- Difficulty eating hard food
- Drooling
- Head tilting while chewing
- Decreased appetite
- Flinching when jaw area is touched
Diagnosis
- Dental X-rays under anesthesia: The ONLY reliable way to diagnose
- Visual exam alone misses many lesions (below the gumline)
- Full-mouth dental X-rays recommended for all cats during dental cleaning
Treatment
- No way to save affected teeth -- extraction is the only treatment
- Cats do extremely well after extractions -- even multiple or full-mouth
- Most cats eat better and are more comfortable after extraction (even with no remaining teeth)
- Cats without teeth eat wet food and even some dry food using their gums and tongue
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tooth resorption be prevented?
Unfortunately, no. Despite research, no prevention method has been identified. Tooth resorption occurs regardless of diet, dental care, or genetics -- though some cats are more prone than others. The best approach is early detection through annual dental exams with X-rays, and prompt extraction when lesions are found. Waiting allows progressive pain and tooth destruction.
