tvpjournal.com | January/February 2016 | Today's VeTerinary PracTice
exTernal TooTh resorPTion in caTs Peer reviewed
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are visible only as irregular radiopacities, and
gingival covering is complete (Figure 7, page 24).
Radiographic Appearance
• Type 1: There is loss of alveolar bone adjacent to
a well-defined area of tooth resorption; normal
periodontal ligament space is maintained in other
areas of the tooth (Figure 8, page 24).
• Type 2: There is loss of the periodontal ligament
space and lamina dura due to fusion of the tooth
root and alveolar bone (dentoalveolar ankylosis);
the resorbing tooth structure may appear less
radiopaque than the unaffected tooth (replacement
resorption) (Figure 9, page 24).
• Type 3: Features of Type 1 and 2 are present
(Figure 10, page 24).
FIGURE 4. Stage 4a tooth resorption of left mandibular canine; clinical appearance (A) and radiographic
appearance (B) showing that crown and root are equally affected.
A B
FIGURE 5. Stage 4b tooth resorption; clinical appearance of tooth resorption of right mandibular frst molar
(A) and intraoral radiograph confrming Stage 4b tooth resorption (B).
A B
FIGURE 6. Stage 4c tooth resorption; clinical appearance of resorption of left mandibular canine root (A) and
radiograph confrming that the root demonstrates more resorption than the crown (B).
A B