Feline Specific Dentistry

Question 1

Name 3 common feline dental diseases.

Answer 1

1. Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion
2. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis
3. Fractured teeth

Question 2

What is the pathology with FORL lesions?

Answer 2

Destruction of the dental hard tissues, followed by replacement with granulation tissue, then bone

Question 3

What are the three types of FORL lesion?

Answer 3

Type 1 - cemento-enamel junction - in the crown, starts on inside
Type 2 - root - in the root - root resorption starts at the periodontal ligament attachments and works in
Type 3 - a mixture of type 1 and 2 lesions

Question 4

Describe the 5 stages of FORL lesions.

Answer 4

Stage 1 - mild dental hard tissue loss
Stage 2 - moderate hard tissue loss, doesn’t extend into pulp canal
Stage 3 - deep dental hard tissue loss, extends into pulp canal
Stage 4 - extensive dental hard tissue loss, invaded pulp canal, some integrity lost
4a - crown and root are equally effected
4b - crown is more affected than the root
4c - root is more affected than the crown
Stage 5 - tooth only detectable as a mass of irregular radiopacity, gingival epithelium is complete

Question 5

What is required for definitive diagnosis of FORL lesions in the cat?

Answer 5

Radiography

Question 6

How should you treat FORL lesions?

Answer 6

Type 1 (lesion above the crown) - full extraction
Type 1 crown completely gone - root extraction
Type 2 - root completely gone on X-ray - crown amputation

Question 7

What is the pathology seen with feline chronic gingivostomatitis?

Answer 7

Inappropriate inflammation of the oral mucosa, spreading to the caudal oral mucosa
98% of cats have calcivirus

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of feline chronic gingivostomatitis?

Answer 8

PAIN +++
Anorexia 
Halitosis 
Hypersalivation
Dysphagia 
Not grooming

Question 9

What treatment options are there for feline chronic gingivostomatitis?

Answer 9

Surgical extraction - either full mouth, or teeth with mucositis
Analgesia - meloxicam, buprenorphine, local
Antibiotics - clindamycin, cefovexcin, amoxicillin
Ciclosporin - useful in cases where the is no response to extractions
Interferon
Oral chlorhexidine mouthwashes
Omega 3 and EFA enriched diet - allergic component!?
Euthanasia due to pain and lack of response