Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs) are a common and painful dental disease seen in cats. Most cats over the age of 5 have one or more in their mouth. This condition causes the gradual destruction and erosion of the tooth structure including the crown and roots, often resulting in pain and tooth infection. If your cat is missing a tooth this is often the cause. Cats with this condition may show symptoms such as difficulty eating, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, sensitivity to touch around the mouth, as well as grumpiness or changes in social behaviour. The exact cause of FORLs is not fully understood, but several factors like genetics, age, diet and oral hygiene are believed to play a role. There are also a few breeds of cats such as the Siamese, Abyssinian and Persian who are more prone to the condition.
In some animals you can visually see the FORLs on the tooth, but in other cases they are hidden below the gum line and require probing and dental x-rays to find. Treatment is extraction of the affected tooth, and every effort should be made to completely remove the entire root structure, to prevent pain and infection being left in the mouth. Occasionally removal of the crown is enough, but those cases must be guided by x-ray findings to ensure the rest of the root structure has been completely resorbed by the body.
Regular dental care and professional cleanings are essential to prevent and manage FORLs in cats. To learn more about feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions and their treatment, please contact Elevated Pet Dentistry today!