Resorptive Lesions in Cats: A Hidden Dental Problem

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in cats, but there’s one condition many owners aren’t familiar with: feline tooth resorption, sometimes called resorptive lesions. This painful dental problem affects more than half of cats over the age of three, yet it often goes unnoticed until it’s quite advanced.

At Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic in North Vancouver, we regularly see cats with resorptive lesions during dental exams, so we want to help you understand what they are and why early detection matters.

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What Are Resorptive Lesions?

Resorptive lesions occur when the body starts to break down and absorb the hard structures of a tooth—enamel, dentin, and cementum. Over time, the tooth weakens and becomes painful. In some cases, the crown (the visible part of the tooth) can break off, leaving only the root behind.

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What Causes Them?

The exact cause isn’t fully understood. Factors may include:

• Inflammation in the mouth

• Genetics (some cats seem predisposed)

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Signs Your Cat May Have Resorptive Lesions

Cats are masters at hiding dental pain, so the signs can be subtle. Watch for:

• Dropping food while eating

• Chewing on one side of the mouth

• Refusing dry food but eating soft food

• Drooling or pawing at the mouth

• Sudden fussiness or aggression when their face is touched

Sometimes there are no obvious signs at home, and the lesions are only spotted during a veterinary dental exam.

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How Are They Diagnosed?

The tricky thing about resorptive lesions is that they often start below the gumline, where they can’t be seen on a quick visual exam. That’s why dental radiographs (X-rays) under anesthesia are so important. They allow us to see what’s happening inside the tooth and root.

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Treatment Options

Unfortunately, once resorptive lesions begin, they don’t stop or heal on their own. The standard treatment is removal of the affected tooth, which relieves pain and prevents ongoing damage. Cats typically recover very well after extractions and often eat better than before once the pain is gone.

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Prevention and Monitoring

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent resorptive lesions, regular dental checkups and cleanings are the best way to catch them early. Many cats benefit from annual dental exams, especially as they age.

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The Bottom Line

Resorptive lesions are a common but often overlooked cause of dental pain in cats. With regular exams and dental X-rays, we can catch these problems early and keep your cat comfortable and healthy.

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If you’ve noticed changes in your cat’s eating habits, drooling, or just a sense that something isn’t right, don’t wait—book a dental checkup with us at Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic in North Vancouver. Your cat deserves to live pain-free with a happy, healthy smile. North Vancouver Vet