Tooth Resorption

Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is a common disease in cats but can also affect dogs. It is a destructive process whereby the body’s cells destroy the tooth structure and do not rebuild it. If the tooth’s crown is affected by resorption, the process can be very painful. In other cases, only the roots are affected, and diagnostic imaging is necessary to detect the disease. Once a tooth is affected, the process will continue until the tooth is destroyed. The cause of tooth resorption is unknown, and extraction is the treatment of choice to alleviate or prevent pain or fracture of the affected teeth.