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tvpjournal.com | January/February 2016 | Today's VeTerinary PracTice exTernal TooTh resorPTion in caTs Peer reviewed 25 Clinical Signs In most cases of tooth resorption there are no overt clinical signs, especially when the resorption is confned below the gingival margin. When the resorption progresses along the root surface and erodes through the gingival attachment, the resorption lesion becomes exposed to oral bacteria, which may result in clinical signs and painful infammation of surrounding soft tissue. Patients with tooth resorption exposed to the oral cavity may show: • Hypersalivation • Head shaking • Sneezing • Anorexia • Oral bleeding • Difficulty with food prehension. Radiographic Findings Intraoral radiography is a critical tool to help the veterinarian classify and treat tooth resorption. Most lesions are localized to the root surfaces within the alveolar bone. Clinically detectable lesions at the cervical portion of the tooth may appear as radiolucent areas near the cementoenamel junction. When one tooth resorption is noted, other resorptions on the same tooth and multiple other tooth resorptions in the mouth are often revealed. References 1. Mestrinho LA, R assessment of feline tooth resorption: A Portuguese clinical case control study. J Vet Dent 2013; 30(2):78-83. 2. Lommer MJ, Verstraete FJM. Prevalence of odontoclastic resorption lesions and periapical radiographic lucencies in cats: 265 cases (1995–1998). JAVMA 2000; 217(12):1866-1869. 3. von Arx T, Schawalder P, Ackermann M, Bosshardt DD. Human and feline invasive cervical resorptions: The missing link? Presentation of four cases. J Endod 2009; 35(6):904-913. 4. American Veterinary Dental College. AVDC Nomenclature Committee. avdc.org/nomenclature. 5. Gorrel C. Tooth resorption in cats: Pathophysiology and treatment options. J Feline Med Surg 2015; 17(1):37-43. 6. Okuda A, Harvey CE. Etiopathogenesis of feline dental resorptive lesions. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1992; 22(6):1385-1404. 7. Burke FJ, Johnston N, Wiggs RB, Hall AF. An alternative hypothesis from veterinary science for the pathogenesis of noncarious cervical lesions. Quintessence Int 2000; 31(7):475- 482. 8. Donoghue S, Scarlett JM, Williams CA, Saidla J. Diet as a risk factor for feline external odontoclastic resorption. J Nutr 1994; 124(12):2693S-2694S. 9. Scarlett JM, Saidla J, Hess J. Risk factors for odontoclastic resorptive lesions in cats. JAAHA 1999; 35(3):188-182. 10. Lund K, Bohacek LK, Dahlke JL, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for odontoclastic resorptive lesions in cats. JAVMA 1998; 212(3):392-395. Jan Bellows Jan Bellows, DVM, Diplomate AVDC & ABVP (Canine & Feline), is owner of All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida. He is immediate past president of the American Veterinary Dental College and current president of the Veterinary Dental Forum. He is a charter consultant of Veterinary Information Network's (VIN) dental board. Dr. Bellows has authored 3 dental texts and was one of the dental experts to formulate AAHA's Small Animal Dental Guidelines published in 2005 and updated in 2013. He received his DVM from Auburn University and completed a small animal internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. FIGURE 11. Clinical appearance of tooth resorption of left mandibular third premolar. FIGURE 12. Clinical appearance of slight gingival overgrowth on labial surface of left mandibular canine ( A ); probing with explorer reveals tooth resorption ( B). A B