That tooth
may be disappearing.
Tooth resorption is a painful process that gradually destroys a tooth. It often hides beneath the gumline, where you cannot see it—and cats may keep eating even while their mouth hurts.
! A small red spot at the gumline, jaw chattering, or sudden sensitivity can be a reason to ask your veterinarian about dental disease.
often painful
Eating normally
doesn’t rule it out.
Many cats mask oral discomfort. Some keep eating but chew differently, drop food, or act uncomfortable only when a lesion is touched. Dogs can also develop tooth resorption, though the patterns and causes may differ.
Do not try to scrape, press, or test a suspicious spot at home. An awake mouth check cannot show the full root or determine the lesion type.
These signs can have other causes. A veterinary examination is needed to identify what is happening.
Resorption can affect the crown, the root, or both. Dental radiographs help reveal how far it has progressed.
The body begins
to break down the tooth.
Specialized cells called odontoclasts dissolve mineralized tooth tissue. The process may begin on a root surface or within the tooth, and it can progress until the tooth becomes structurally damaged and painful.
Early changes can occur below the gumline or along a root, with little to see during a quick awake exam.
As the lesion approaches or breaks through the visible tooth, gum tissue may grow over the defect and the area can become very sensitive.
The appearance of the roots helps the veterinary dentist determine which treatment is appropriate for that tooth.
One normal meal
can hide a painful mouth.
Tooth resorption is common in cats and can affect more than one tooth. Cats may continue to eat despite discomfort, so appetite alone cannot tell you whether their teeth are healthy.
Dogs can develop resorptive lesions too. In either species, the cause, pattern and treatment plan depend on the individual tooth and radiographic findings.
“He’s still eating” is reassuring—but it is not a dental X-ray.
When you notice a new mouth behavior or your veterinarian finds a suspicious tooth, ask what imaging is needed to see the roots.
A tooth can look
fine above the gum.
A complete diagnosis combines an oral examination with intraoral dental radiographs. X-rays show the roots and surrounding bone, and they help distinguish resorption from other problems such as a fracture or periodontal disease.
Veterinarian? Discuss a caseWhat evaluation may include
Oral exam under anesthesia
Allows the team to carefully examine and probe teeth while
protecting the patient’s comfort and safety.
Intraoral dental radiographs
Reveal the amount and pattern of root involvement, including
changes hidden below the gumline.
Tooth-by-tooth treatment plan
Different teeth in the same mouth may have different lesion types
and need different decisions.
Follow-up monitoring
Because new lesions may develop, the veterinary team may recommend
ongoing oral exams and imaging.
Relieve pain.
Choose the right removal.
Treatment is based on the type and extent of resorption shown on dental radiographs. The goal is to relieve pain and prevent diseased tooth tissue from causing ongoing problems.
Remove the affected tooth
Extraction is commonly recommended when a lesion has reached the crown, is painful, or the root pattern makes complete removal appropriate.
Crown amputation may fit some cats
For certain cats with advanced replacement resorption and no evidence of root infection, a veterinarian may recommend removing the crown while leaving roots that are already being replaced by bone.
Plan comfort and follow-up
Your veterinary team will explain pain control, feeding, home care and rechecks. Other teeth may need monitoring because resorption can affect multiple teeth over time.
Important: crown amputation is not appropriate for every resorptive tooth. Dental radiographs are essential to identify root type and rule out conditions that require a different approach. The veterinarian will tailor treatment to the patient and tooth.
That tiny spot deserves
a closer look.
If your pet has a suspicious gumline lesion, jaw chattering, mouth sensitivity, or a diagnosis you want help understanding, DVDP can talk through the next step with you and your primary veterinarian.
Delaware Veterinary Dental Practice · Wilmington and Dover, DE · (302) 463-2879
Questions pet parents ask.
Is tooth resorption painful?
It can be. Lesions that reach or expose sensitive tooth structures may cause significant discomfort. Cats may hide pain or continue eating despite it.
Can tooth resorption be seen without an X-ray?
Some lesions are visible during an oral examination, but others are hidden below the gumline or affect the roots. Dental radiographs are important for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Is tooth resorption only a cat problem?
No. It is especially common in cats, but dogs can also develop tooth resorption. The patterns and classification can differ between species.
Will my cat need every tooth removed?
Not necessarily. Treatment is determined tooth by tooth from examination and radiographic findings. Some cats need one or several teeth treated; the plan depends on the disease present.
Can the tooth be filled or treated with antibiotics?
Filling or antibiotics alone do not stop the resorptive process. The veterinary team uses radiographs and examination findings to choose appropriate treatment for the affected tooth.
Can it come back after treatment?
A treated tooth is addressed, but new lesions may develop in other teeth. Your veterinarian may recommend ongoing dental examinations and radiographs.