| dc.description.abstract | SUMMARY The present article is a literature review of Feline Tooth Resorption (TR). Today TR is the most prevalent and most significant feline dental condition. Despite having been described as early as the beginning of the last century, the aetiology of TR remains unknown to this day. In the past, TR was known by the terms as ,Neck Lesion’, ,Cervical-line Lesion’, ,Cervical-line Erosion’, ,Cervical-line Resorption’, ,External Root Resorption’, ,Feline Dental Resorptive Lesion’, Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion (FORL)’ in an effort to characterise the nature or the location of the condition. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) advocates the use of the term Tooth Resorption, as lesions may originate from internal odontic structures instead of the cervical region, and may affect other species but cats. The initially non-painful TR progresses to a severely painful condition. History including increased salivation, halithosis, tongue contortions, recurrent jaw tremors, head shaking, anorexia, exsiccation, weight loss, apa-thy or behavioural changes, may suggest advanced TR and oral pain. Diagnosis is usually based on physical examination, but staging requires radiography. Therapy is aimed to provide a better quality of life and pain control. At an early stage, affected but non-painful teeth are not removed in order to preserve function, but regular monitoring is highly recommended. Painful TR lesions usually indicate extraction, but in a limited number of cases crown amputation with root sparing could be a feasible option. Regardless of the treatment of choice, perioperative analgesia and gentle surgical manipulation are of utmost importance. With the aetiology being unknown, prevention is not possible. Client education is crucial for early detection and therapy of feline TR, and regular dental screening is recommended in all cats. | en_US |
