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Feline tooth resorption
Dental resorption is a progressive destruction of the tooth by the body itself. Cells normally responsible for remodeling bone attack dental tissue and nibble it, from the root to the crown. The tooth hollows out, the gum fills the hole, th...
What is it?
Dental resorption is a progressive destruction of the tooth by the body itself. Cells normally responsible for remodeling bone attack dental tissue and nibble it, from the root to the crown.
The tooth hollows out, the gum fills the hole, then the crown ends up breaking. It is one of the most common dental conditions in adult cats.
It is not a cavity: there is neither sugar nor bacteria causing the phenomenon, even if local inflammation often accompanies it.
Key point
The pain is real and permanent, even in a cat that continues to eat. The absence of complaint is never proof of absence of pain in this species.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Many cats do not show any visible signs for a long time: the lesion is discovered during a routine examination.
When the pain sets in, the cat chews on one side, drops kibble or swallows it without chewing.
Jaw clicking or trembling of the lower jaw when touching the affected area: this is a very suggestive sign.
Salivation, bad breath, reluctance to let your head be touched.
Small bud of red gum growing up on the tooth, or visibly chipped tooth at the gum line.
Reduced appetite and weight loss in advanced forms.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The exact mechanism remains poorly understood despite much work: we know what happens in the tooth, not what triggers the process.
Cells called odontoclasts begin to destroy the hard tissue of the tooth, just as they would resorb a baby tooth.
Inflammation of the gums and the presence of plaque seem to aggravate the phenomenon without being the primary cause.
Hypotheses concerning the calcium-vitamin D balance of the diet have been put forward, without definitive conclusions to date.
Age is the main factor: the frequency increases markedly in adult and elderly cats.
Short-nosed breeds of cats and certain lines of purebred cats seem to be affected more often.
Existing periodontal disease or chronic gingivostomatitis frequently accompanies the lesions.
A cat that has already had a lesion will very often develop others: follow-up becomes essential.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
Examination of the normal mouth only shows the emerged part: many lesions are hidden under the gums or in the root.
The diagnosis is based on dental x-rays taken under anesthesia, tooth by tooth. This is the only way to know which teeth are affected, at what stage, and what action to take.
The veterinarian probes each tooth looking for a sore spot or a cavity filled by gum.
A blood test precedes anesthesia, especially in older cats.
Treatment
There is no treatment to stop or reverse resorption: you do not fill in a resorbed tooth like you treat a cavity.
Treatment consists of removing the affected tooth, which permanently eliminates the pain.
Depending on the x-ray appearance, the veterinarian removes the entire tooth or, in certain specific and x-ray-documented situations, only the crown, leaving the roots already replaced by bone.
Pain management before, during and after the procedure is part of the protocol, with veterinary painkillers adapted to the cat.
Never give a human painkiller to a cat: paracetamol, in particular, is fatal for them, even in very small quantities.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
No measure can currently prevent the appearance of lesions, due to lack of knowledge of the cause.
Screening is the real lever: an oral examination at each annual visit, and dental x-rays during any anesthesia or scaling.
Regular oral hygiene reduces the inflammation of the gums which accompanies and aggravates the lesions.
In a cat that has already had a lesion, a close dental check-up is warranted.
Possible complications
Fracture of the crown at the gum line, leaving a painful root in place.
Exposure of the pulp, very painful, and infection of the root.
Chronic pain that modifies behavior: cat that isolates itself, becomes irritable, stops grooming itself.
Malnutrition in advanced forms with several affected teeth.
When to see a veterinarian
Your cat drops its kibble or chews on one side only.
His jaw shakes or clicks when he eats, or when you approach his mouth.
He drools, has bad breath or refuses to have his head touched.
You see red gum rising on a tooth, or a broken tooth flush with the gum.
He eats less and loses weight without any other explanation.
Prognosis
Excellent after removal of affected teeth: the pain disappears and owners very often describe a “rejuvenated” cat, more playful and more cuddly, which shows how much he suffered in silence.
New lesions may appear on other teeth: regular monitoring remains necessary.
Cats that have lost several or all of their teeth eat and live normally.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a cavity?
No. Caries is destruction by bacteria and sugar; it is exceptional in cats. Here, it is the animal's own cells that destroy the tooth. The treatment is therefore not a filling but an extraction.
Can anesthesia be avoided for diagnosis?
No. A closed mouth examination only shows part of the lesions, and dental x-rays, essential to decide on the procedure, are not possible on an awake cat. Anesthesia is prepared by a preliminary assessment.
My cat is eating normally, should I still treat it?
Yes. The cat masks pain very well: eating remains a vital reflex. An exposed resorbing tooth is permanently painful, and the only way to end this pain is to remove it.
Do kibbles damage cat’s teeth?
They do not cause tooth resorption. Certain specific kibbles even help limit plaque. The most important factor remains regular maintenance and veterinary control of the mouth.
References
AAFP — American Association of Feline Practitioners
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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