Update on the Etiology of Tooth Resorption in Domestic Cats

Abstract

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL) were first recognized and histologically differentiated from caries in the 1920s [1,2]. Some anecdotal reports describing caries-like lesions at the cervical region of feline teeth followed in the 1950s and 1960s, until two microscopic studies in the 1970s again revealed that FORL were not caries but a type of tooth resorption [3,4]. A recent study showed that cats with FORL have a significantly lower urine specific gravity and significantly higher serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) compared with cats without FORL [5], indicating that multiple tooth resorption in domestic cats could be the manifestation of some systemic insult rather than a local cause. In this article, the histologic and radiographic appearance of FORL and certain other peculiarities of feline teeth are reviewed. An attempt is then made to compare these findings with changes of the periodontium induced by administration of excess vitamin D or vitamin D metabolites in experimental animals. Histologic and radiographic features of feline odontoclastic resorptive lesionsTooth resorption is caused by odontoclasts. Their precursors derive from hematopoietic stem cells of bone marrow or spleen and migrate from blood vessels of the alveolar bone or periodontal ligament toward the external root

Human and Feline Invasive Cervical Resorptions: The Missing Link?—Presentation of Four Cases

“…The etiology of FORL, like that of mICR, remains largely unknown. Suggested etiologic or predisposing factors include furcation anatomy of feline teeth, mechanical stress, diet texture and nutrient content, oral acid levels related to diet or vomitus, irregularities of calcium homeostasis, excess vitamin D, and viral infections (17,18). Some authors also reported a significantly lower occurrence of root replacement resorption by alveolar bone (type II) in cat teeth with resorptive lesions, with the latter presenting roots with a normal radiographic appearance without replacement resorption (type I) (19,20).…”

Dental and Oral Diseases

“…The condition usually involves multiple permanent teeth and can start anywhere on the tooth's root surface. 99,100 99,100 …”

“…These findings demonstrate events that occur before obvious tooth resorption and suggest that the very early lesion is probably noninflammatory. 100,101 Several other peculiarities are noted in the permanent teeth of cats that could be associated with tooth resorption, including unusual thickening of alveolar bone (alveolar bone expansion), with or without periodontal pocket formation, and abnormal extrusion of canine teeth (supereruption). 100,101 Resorption of enamel may occur when root resorption has progressed coronally into the crown.…”

“…41 Ankylosed roots are at risk of being incorporated into the normal bone remodeling process, resulting in gradual resorption of the root and replacement by bone (replacement resorption) (Figure 21-25). 65,100,101 The enamel may then become undermined or penetrated by the resorption process.…”

Estudo anatômico do trajeto do canal mandibular em felinos (Felis catus domesticus)

“…Embora a osteologia mandibular já tenha sido descrita em algumas espécies, a exemplo do homem (Suazo et al, 2007;Kim et al, 2009) e do cão (Villamizar Martinez et al, 2009), a literatura é escassa quanto à osteologia craniana dos felinos, sejam estes domésticos ou provenientes de habitat selvagem (Christiansen, 2008). Sabe-se que várias afecções dentárias dos felinos podem evoluir para uma agressão ou dano ao CM, a exemplo da lesão de reabsorção, necessitando de intervenção cirúrgica (Reiter et al, 2005). Dessa forma, a negligência ou o desconhecimento anatômico dessa região pode repercutir em danos ao organismo animal e, eventualmente, no óbito do paciente (Carvalho, 2004).…”