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When Is Cat Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Cats > Dental Care > When Is Cat Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Cat tooth disease can often lead to severe health problems if not checked and treated promptly. Pet owners should schedule a vet check if their pets experience toothache or discomfort while ingesting food and water. Most cats continue eating food even in advanced stages of periodontal disease.

Cats over the age of two years are known to suffer from varying periodontal diseases. Advanced forms of periodontal disease lead to tooth loss. Cat tooth extraction is necessary if the tooth infection is likely to pass to the lungs or major organs through the blood. Before understanding the major periodontal diseases that require tooth extraction, it's necessary to know the symptoms of tooth disease in pets.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Cats

Bad breath
Cat paws at the mouth frequently
Difficulty chewing their meals
Red and inflamed gums
Exposed roots of the teeth
Drooling
Loose teeth

Clinical Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Advanced periodontal disease can cause mobile teeth, pulp infection and bone loss in pets. The teeth that are severely affected should be extracted before the damage is permanent.
Teeth that result in malocclusion should be extracted as they cause overcrowding and sometimes teeth grinding. Dental exams of certain pets also reveal lower jaws that overlap the upper jaw. In most cases supernumary (baby) teeth are extracted to prevent future overcrowding. This extraction is known as interceptive orthodontics.
Retained deciduous or baby teeth that exist along with other teeth have to be extracted.
Dental caries or teeth that are severely infected are always considered for extraction.
Cats that suffer from root abscess or jaw fractures may be treated with either root canal therapy or tooth extractions based on the severity.

Types of Veterinary Dental Extractions

Dental extractions can be either surgical or nonsurgical in nature. Surgical extractions are conducted on cats with broken tooth roots. It's also performed on pets with healthy teeth, such as supernumary teeth and abnormal teeth. Nonsurgical extractions can be performed on pets with severe gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. A small incision and dental equipment can easily remove the infected tooth. In both cases of surgical and non surgical extraction, the extraction site is sutured together to prevent further infection and pain.

Before conducting any tooth extraction procedure, the vet will assess the kind of periodontal disease and assign a grade based on its severity. The grades of periodontal disease range from 1 to 4. The fourth grade of periodontal disease is often irreversible.

Types of Periodontal Disease

Early gingivitis
Advanced gingivitis
Early periodontitis
Established periodontitis

Cat Tooth Extraction Cost

The cost of tooth extraction is based on the type of procedure performed. The cost may include hospitalization, anesthesia, painkiller medication, x-rays and surgical supplies. The cost of fracture related extractions can cost nearly $1300. It's best to always take preventive measures to avoid surgeries and expensive dental procedures.

Pet owners should consider getting their pets accustomed to a toothbrush and follow up with routine dental hygiene practices, using only pet toothpaste. Routine vet checks will also help to detect periodontal diseases at an early stage.

also see Diagnosing Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

also see A Guide to Cat Tooth Care

also see A Guide to Cat Dental Care

also see Dog Dental Tips for a Healthy Mouth