The three most common oral pathologies in adult cats

Periodontal disease

Advanced periodontal disease is commonly diagnosed in cats (Figure 1). A major contributing factor to its development is the lack of adequate oral hygiene at home. The adoption of preventive pediatric health plans and adequate geriatric presurgical profiles, as well as the presence of specialists in oral surgery and anesthesia, are crucial aspects for ensuring appropriate periodontal treatment in such patients. Staging of periodontal disease is essential for the decision-making process, which can range from calculus removal and dental polishing to surgical extraction.

Tooth extrusion (Figure 2) is a sign of advanced periodontal disease in cats. Adequate periodontal probing and intraoral radiography (Figure 3) are very important when staging these teeth, as they are essential components in the decision-making process for managing the condition.

Dental fractures

A tooth fracture is characterized by structural alteration (and in most cases loss) of dental tissue secondary to external trauma to the oral cavity. Note that fractures are frequently missed on the initial oral examination performed on a conscious animal. As in periodontal disease, classification is essential for decision making. This is particularly important in adult patients, since fractures involving exposure of the pulp chamber or cavity (complicated fractures, root fractures) that have not been adequately treated can lead to clear signs of pulp disease, such as dental abscesses, fistulas, etc. (Figure 4 and 5).

Tooth resorption

Tooth resorption (TR) is a primary dental disease characterized by progressive tissue destruction of one or more permanent teeth due to the action of odontoclastic cells. The condition frequently manifests with resorption of the crown and/or neck of the tooth, along with reactive gingival hyperplasia (Figure 6).

The underlying cause is complex and has not been clearly established. Although TR is not unique to adult animals, its progression in different stages and the appearance of obvious signs in the oral cavity are usually observed in adult animals. Nevertheless, radiography is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of TR in cats.

In some cases, there may be no indication that the crown of the tooth is affected, despite radiological evidence of severe root resorption (Figure 7 and 8).

Note teeth are identified using the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) classification system.

Acknowledgement: many thanks to Dr. Carlos Rice for reviewing the English version of the original Spanish article.